Dec
08
Barca-Miami Deal A One-Time Offer?
Barca President Joan Laporta is putting the pressue on MLS for a club in 2010.
I think this may be one of those reasons why I am a bit nervous about the possible addition of Miami to Major League Soccer (again). On the paper I love the idea of the city being linked up with a huge investor and a historic club like Barcelona.
But that is about where it ends for me I think when I read stuff like this.
He moved to exert pressure on MLS by vowing that the Barcelona Miami bid was a one-time offer and that if passed over, the group would not wait for another year. Not only that, but he has also insisted that the team be allowed to start in 2010, a year before MLS had planned for the next bidding cycle winner to enter.
Andrea Canales got it right there when she talked about investors Barcelona president Joan Laporta and Miami businessman Marcelo Claure.
Let’s be real honest here about this upcoming expansion for Major League Soccer. They have Seattle in 2009 and Philly in 2010. I really believe the league needs to be stern and stick to the two clubs in 2011 and not two in 2010 and one in 2011. That wasn’t the original plan. Just because a good deal on paper is presented doesn’t mean it will turn out just as good.
I’m not knocking Miami here, so please spare me the comments and emails about the “hate” on Miami here. Its not about that. It is all about how these potential owners need to calm down and come into the league when the league is ready for them.
Let’s also look at some facts here, expansion clubs usually draw well in their first year but that is because in recent years the league has made sure of it with getting a certain number of season ticket holders lined up well before hand (Seattle and Toronto…and eventually Philly).
I really believe the league should tell the Barca-Miami group that if they want to be in by 2010 they need to get at least 7k-10k in season tickets. Reason being is because that will insure at least some butts in the seats in Miami (who’s previous club hardly saw over the 10k like in their few seasons as the Fusion, and yes I know the reasons for that as well).
That is why they need to come in during the 2011 season with the other expansion club if the league really wants to re-enter that market.
Will the league actually stick to their guns about the two clubs in 2011 or cave into the pressure from another foreign owner that probably won’t know how to win in the league for a few years like Chivas USA. I know the league really likes the idea of this expansion bid but the more I dive into the the less I like it. I don’t know if it is because of the Barca thing or what. I just know it should be looked at very carefully and I am a bit afraid the league will dive in without testing the waters properly.
What do you make of the Miami bid? I know what the Miami supports will say but from an outsiders opinion on the matter do you think it will be a good fit or just another club?
