The Black Hole in the Southeast and the Dangers of Concentrated Expansion.
By: Ben | May 14th, 2010
Some wonder if there is a supermassive black hole in the center of the universe. Luckily, they needn’t look further than the American southeast, where MLS has been absent for nearly a decade. With the fall of the Tampa Bay Mutiny and the Miami Fusion after the 2001 season the southernmost MLS team on the eastern seaboard became DC United, leaving such cities as St. Louis and Atlanta, as well as the two cities which were cut, to fall into perpetual second division limbo.
With attendance freefalling and loses rising, it was clear that in 2002 something needed to be done around the league if it were to stay afloat. The then relatively new commissioner Don Garber decided the best course of action would be to cut the league’s two Floridian teams: the Miami Fusion and Tampa Bay Mutiny. Though Miami had won the Supporter’s Shield in 2001 they had the league’s lowest revenue, and Tampa Bay’s fate was sealed when the Glazer family, who own the Buccaneers, turned down proposals to take over the team. The decision went public, and the 2002 season started with only ten teams.
Fast forward to 2010, where in the nine years since cutting Florida out of the equation MLS has added a second team in Los Angeles, expanded to Salt Lake City, seen the movement of San Jose to Houston, added a new San Jose team, as well as Toronto, Seattle, and Philly. These teams are now among the highest in attendance draws and some of the best teams in the league. Three new teams have already been announced for the coming years, all of which are already starting to look like sell-out successes. However, I ask you to look at this map:
Clearly, MLS’s expansion has been following a repeating model of adding many teams to a relatively small area (normally near the coast), whose proximity allows fans to travel to away games, thereby building up rivalries. This is both a good and bad move. Rivalries are the heart of all soccer, and it is no coincidence that England’s size allows fans to travel to literally every away game with a train ride of no more than four hours at the longest. America, on the other hand, is a vastly huge country, and the thought of going to most away games is ridiculous, even for relatively close teams.
However, this concentrated expansion leaves huge tracts of land completely untouched. Consider the map’s three question marks. While there are teams in the surrounding states and Division 2 teams around, these vast expanses stand out as deserts for professional soccer. But while it may be okay to up a “ye be dragons” label on the area surrounding the Dakotas and Montana, there is serious potential being missed in areas such as Minnesota, Phoenix, Saint Louis, and, of course, the southeast: Altanta, Miami, and Tampa Bay. These areas are brewing with soccer fans, all waiting for MLS to act. Only time will reveal whether or not their wishes will come to fruition.
What do you think?
Category: Expansion Teams
Comments
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Southeast would be the next logical step. Then again, MLS will probably go for a 2nd team in NYC before trying again.
With the announced expansion teams, expect another Eastern team to emerge…
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I still don’t quite understand how the Miami and Tampa Bay teams failed. Surely with a smart owenership group, either of those teams could be successful.
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i think that NYC, or st. louis are the next best step. and i think that COM. Garber thinks so too. to strengthen the east
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I couldn’t agree more. I live in the southeast (NC) and live vicariously with fans when I watch espn2 or FSC. But I would definately drive down to Atlanta if they got the expansion though. I’m happy to see bloggers express their disatisfaction on this topic. Well done.
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I don’t know thanks
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Bring MLS to Miami campaign coming soon.
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Put teams where the fans want them. Seattle, Portland, Vancouver, Philly, Toronto are voting with their greenbacks. 32,0000 season ticket holders in Seattle. Portland expects 20K, Vancouver the same. Think about that. Do you really think there is that kind of potential in Atlanta, St Louis Phoenix? Those places have strong local support for their Baseball teams. Most of the MLS squads with good local support have crummy MLB which is what MLS has to compete against for disposable dollars. Yeah the demographics are different but the Sounders play next door to the Mariners. Seems like the folks going to Safeco are boomers and retirees. There are young families and 20 somethings at Qwest. Florida is full of retirees from the NE. That’s their market. They can have it. I would guess most MLS players are really happy to not have to play in the high heat & humidity of the gulf south east in summer.
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Fans in Miami want MLS
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The southeast has many successfull hockey teams, surely it can support multiple soccer teams.
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I’m from Minnesota so I would love to have an MLS team here, not so sure it would be a success though. The Thunder have always had low attendances, but a stadium closer to downtown might solve that. The problem is the Twins just had a stadium built, and the Vikings are pushing hard for one despite lots of resistance. So it is unlikely a new soccer specific stadium would be built here for some time. That being said I think a team could do well here with good management but that is probably true most places.
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Michael, The southeast does not have successful pro Hockey teams. The Panthers and Lighting are a financial joke – this is because, as pointed out by Phil, Florida, especially South Florida, is full of retirees, many part time residents. American Football (ugh) and maybe basketball are the only pro sports that seem to sell consistently well.
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How about Alaska! We are the center for Air Travel on the planet. MLS teams could play internation friendlys here. Teams from Asia and Europe could do a layover in Alaska, play a freindly, see the sights, catch a 40 pound king salmon or a 300 pound halibut, and then continue there flight for more international compatition.
Alaska is getting screwed out of seeing high end play. I’m sure many top players are getting board playing in big dirty cities. Alaska Rocks! WE just need some high level Futball to rock harder!!!!
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lol…Alaska! you might meet attendance goals if the entire state showed up for games.
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Alaska has a young internation population. If we get some top level play up here we would develop the fan base.
My goal is to start with a small field out side FUTSAL sport center. A Fieldturf pitch for out door play in the land of the midnight sun. Once we get high level small sided teams… it’s just logical to expand into high level futball.
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Why is it necessary to have teams in all regions? Look at EPL or Serie A, There are many areas that are not served by Serie A or Premiership teams. The difference in those countries (Italy and England) and most other soccer nations is that they have a tiered system. This is how these other regions can be served. We have developed a mish mash of leagues; NASL/USL Div.1, USL Div. 2, USL PDL, Canadian Soccer League, (the proposed) Western Soccer League, Pacific Coast League, and many other I probably don’t even know about back east. The USSF and Canadian Soccer Federation need to start looking at viable way to introduce a tiered system. A tiered system would, in my opinion, be a better way to grow the game in the “Black Holes”. Start out small and gradually build a product on and off the field. This will also force current owners of MLS teams to continue to improve their teams on the field. Yes, I realize that there would be a financial risk to the current owners.
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I think with the new reaignment that the MLS has announced at the all-star game, the league will be looking west again. Because it appears that the NYC ownership group has dropped out. Also, I beleive the MLS will not move into the southeast till the next round of expansion perhaps in 2018. With Dallas and Houston moving into the East and Kansas City moving to the West, I believe the league will be looking to either San Diego or Phoenix. With the rumors of Chivas moving to San Diego, the logical choice is Phoenix in 2013.
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After reviewing additional information in regards to additional expansion sites. I have to take back my feeling about Phoenix. A much better location and realizing the MLS needed to build regional rivals that San Antonio, TX makes much more sense. Having the Crocketteers is a great plus, also.
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