MLS/USA football heading into the world cup next year

[Manuel]

Just seen it discussed on Talksport that in 2022 Apple TV agreed a deal with MLS as the sole broadcaster for MLS matches for $2.5 billion over 10 years (news to me) It's $99 a year to subscribe, or $79 if you already have an Apple TV subscription. When Messi arrived in Miami part of his deal was that he got some of the Apple TV money. ESPN who now don't show any games, won't discuss the league at all on any of their shows. 

As for the national side, Pochettino hasn't made a good start, a side that has no identity and they lost twice over the last few days. Its hard for them to get friendlies with European countries (as they use to do) since UEFA introduced the Nations League. But overall, plenty of optimism around the world cup, with most games expected to sell out.

I found it all mildly interesting. Do any WHOer's residing over there subscribe to Apple's season pass? or any thoughts on Pochettino, the national side, and next years world cup, in general?

[ironsofcanada]

I did read that Apple are trying to sell back some of the rights to MLS.

Do you, or many, subscribe to fubo TV in Canada, for the PL?

I pay for Fubo and DAZN,  that gives me all Premier League games, all the other top 5 leagues except La Liga, my national team (except the World Cup, for which I will pay for another web service month to month) the CONCACAF version of a Champions League, the high profile European national team games and a bunch of other stuff I care less about. (NFL in there too.)

But I don't have cable (or it's descendants) which along with satellite (which is one its way to being dead) was only way to watch any football growing up.


Fubo is doing okay I guess, there was a big price increase recently and they don't release numbers but it would have less subscribers than cable, IPTV, even satellite and especially other streaming services.

[Manuel]

A few points - in no particular order

- The Messi/Apple is showing cracks, in terms of growth not being as expected,  revenue sharing disputes and what  the future will hold.

And there have been deep discounts , free games to try and make the anticipated growth happen.  For instance, the last part of the regular season and all the playoffs were offered for 1$ last year. 

They have however, this season stopped the handful of free games they offered each week last season. 

- Messi coming to your city has become a social event (as has Wrexham)

- The US leagues below MLS recently voted to introduce relegation/promotion 

- As far as Messi and fairness goes, all contracts are technically held by MLS, so legally they are only being unfair to themselves.

- For  me personally, the standard of play in MLS has improved dramatically from 13 years ago (when I left to go to England.)

- Soccer/football in the States and Canada has a very devout niche market.  It is supported by immigrants groups but also by left of centre groups that reject the dominant sports.  In my view at least.  Despite acting ultra capitalist, it tries to speak to the at least social left.

I did read that Apple are trying to sell back some of the rights to MLS.

Do you, or many, subscribe to fubo TV in Canada, for the PL?

[ironsofcanada]

A few points - in no particular order

- The Messi/Apple is showing cracks, in terms of growth not being as expected,  revenue sharing disputes and what  the future will hold.

And there have been deep discounts , free games to try and make the anticipated growth happen.  For instance, the last part of the regular season and all the playoffs were offered for 1$ last year. 

They have however, this season stopped the handful of free games they offered each week last season. 

- Messi coming to your city has become a social event (as has Wrexham)

- The US leagues below MLS recently voted to introduce relegation/promotion 

- As far as Messi and fairness goes, all contracts are technically held by MLS, so legally they are only being unfair to themselves.

- For  me personally, the standard of play in MLS has improved dramatically from 13 years ago (when I left to go to England.)

- Soccer/football in the States and Canada has a very devout niche market.  It is supported by immigrants groups but also by left of centre groups that reject the dominant sports.  In my view at least.  Despite acting ultra capitalist, it tries to speak to the at least social left.

[Manuel]

I would imagine the MLS is as interesting as the A League here in Australia  so fuck paying to watch it on TV as trust me the A League is pretty dire for the most part, go to the odd game, not sure why, maybe hard to shake that anticipation of watching a game in a stadium, even when you know at the back of your mind it won't be the same  but very rarely watch it on TV as it really isn't the same as English football.

The PL for all its faults is still the best and most interesting league in the world, followed by the Championship, did take an interest in Serie A back in the day when it got coverage on Sunday afternoons on C4, but for the most part find the European leagues not on the same level as England.

Iam however biased in these matters, being English and all that

Fwiw, MLS is a much higher level that the A league, I would suggest. I don't really watch other leagues. The Championship is pretty interesting but have to stream it, which is an annoyance usually. 

[Sydney_Iron]

I would imagine the MLS is as interesting as the A League here in Australia  so fuck paying to watch it on TV as trust me the A League is pretty dire for the most part, go to the odd game, not sure why, maybe hard to shake that anticipation of watching a game in a stadium, even when you know at the back of your mind it won't be the same  but very rarely watch it on TV as it really isn't the same as English football.

The PL for all its faults is still the best and most interesting league in the world, followed by the Championship, did take an interest in Serie A back in the day when it got coverage on Sunday afternoons on C4, but for the most part find the European leagues not on the same level as England.

Iam however biased in these matters, being English and all that

[Manuel]

No need to pay all the games are easily streamed through the usual suspects, plus sky show MLS matches.

 

Yes, I should have said the Apple deal only gives them exclusive rights in the US, not worldwide. I wonder if they bother chasing after anyone streaming games in the U.S.

[Gank]

They do take proper football seriously and put a lot of investment into youth football but it isn't really grassroots as we know it because the MLS is franchised. No promotions or relegations, drafts for the best college players, it's what the Euro Super League wanted to be.

The weird wage structure for different types of players and the baffling Adidas sponsored players makes it unique but overly complicated and probably stops it from being able to compete for quality with most good leagues.

The Saudi League will overtake it and I hope the Saudi League becomes the best in the world, we might get our game back.

[F 129 Row66]

The average septic doesn't know the difference between the half time whistle and a goal post.

[Fauxstralian]

Presume there are enough cocks in the USA who want to watch MLS as it’s AMERICAN and think USA are going to win the World Cup in 2026

Spoiler alert - It’s a substandard league & USA are mediocrity’s who won’t come within a mile of winning the World Cup ever

[ragingbull]

No need to pay all the games are easily streamed through the usual suspects,plus sky show MLS matches.
Their season goes continues on when our season ends,might adopt a team just to get me through the summer.
Use to hear a lot about san jose earthquakes in the 70's might give them a follow,only downside i think the games start about midnight uk time.

[Ladysmith]

Games of 4 quarters, specialist substitutions (for free kicks & penalties) and 30 minute half-time "concerts"; you just know (KNOW) that's coming - probably already agreed in private.

They were saying this for the 1994 world cup

[Vexed]

Anyone going to Trumps dictatorship to watch football needs their heads tested, especially if they look anything other than Aryan white. However,  the nutter is currently using a law from 1786 to deport Salvadoreans, based on their gang tats, look out tattooed England supporters, even if Aryan looking. The judge who put a 2 week hold on deportations to see if it is in fact legal Trump wants impeached, as in got rid of. Basically, as Trump/Hitler sees nothing wrong in annexing/invading Canada and Greenland then god help any unrest at football stadiums as he wont hesitate to get his Home Guard/Storm Troopers involved in quelling any of that nonsense, lethal force anyone? Oh, and don't, whatever you do think of taking any females with you as his view of females can be best viewed in a bill that he tried to push through the senate recently to allow school officials (not doctors, just school officials following orders, ja) to examine girls from 14 to ensure there are no trans people (so scared of the trans/black/mexican/chinese/ etc people) taking part in sports. No chance of anything going wrong with that as all those school officials will be righteous god fearing people who just want to pray the gay away.

Bit of a fucking rant that but you get the idea - not going to America/Germany anytime soon. Wonder when the first Detention/Concentration camp will be built, probably sponsored by Disney, they love a tower or two.

Shutup you dull fucking cսnt

[Vexed]

What sort of nonce is going to pay to watch the fuckin MLS? I'd want paying to have to sit and watch it. It's bad enough watching us. 

[Gank]

Anyone going to Trumps dictatorship to watch football needs their heads tested, especially if they look anything other than Aryan white. However,  the nutter is currently using a law from 1786 to deport Salvadoreans, based on their gang tats, look out tattooed England supporters, even if Aryan looking. The judge who put a 2 week hold on deportations to see if it is in fact legal Trump wants impeached, as in got rid of. Basically, as Trump/Hitler sees nothing wrong in annexing/invading Canada and Greenland then god help any unrest at football stadiums as he wont hesitate to get his Home Guard/Storm Troopers involved in quelling any of that nonsense, lethal force anyone? Oh, and don't, whatever you do think of taking any females with you as his view of females can be best viewed in a bill that he tried to push through the senate recently to allow school officials (not doctors, just school officials following orders, ja) to examine girls from 14 to ensure there are no trans people (so scared of the trans/black/mexican/chinese/ etc people) taking part in sports. No chance of anything going wrong with that as all those school officials will be righteous god fearing people who just want to pray the gay away.

Bit of a fucking rant that but you get the idea - not going to America/Germany anytime soon. Wonder when the first Detention/Concentration camp will be built, probably sponsored by Disney, they love a tower or two.

Give it a rest, Boleyn. Keep politics out of it, this is about watching football. Same as the flanges who moan about Middle East football because they don't treat benders very well. 

[RBshorty]

$2.5 billion for a ten year deal is a bargain for Apple. (Let's be honest here. They could use it as a tax write off. Stream for free. And screw a couple of other streamers in the process.) The MLS will be fine. The entry price point is still cheap. And it's still competitive. Unlike the MLB. NBA. And the other top football leagues around the globe.

As for ESPN. It is owned by Disney. Which should tell you all you need to know.

It's all about the money. Honey.!

[El Scorchio]

I think MLS paid Messi from Apple's proceeds, not to Inter Miami.

''Apple was reportedly instrumental in bringing the Argentinian superstar, who is reportedly set to earn $50 to $60 million a year, to the U.S. As part of the profit-sharing agreement, Messi will get a cut of the revenue from new subscribers to Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass, according to ESPN'' 

Ahh, slightly different then, but I guess still an outside entity pitching in money got him there. An entity who now have the broadcast rights to the league.

 

the thing is there is no relegation in their league. And I assume every "franchise" (ewww!) has a stake in the MLS business as a whole. A bit like how the PL is essentially owned by all the 20 clubs in the league.

So everybody wins when Messi comes into the league in some way. And it's up to the franchise to market themselves effectively to take advantage of the new eyeballs the league is getting. 

But unlike European leagues where the drop from the main league is financially devastating, this cant happen in MLS. Also, the wage structure for 70% of the players is so low that a "Portsmouth" is unlikely to happen. I believe the USA have had a few failed "soccer" leagues in the 70's/80s and aren't going to let this one go the same way.

I guess so, but Inter Miami certainly fucking do pretty well out of the deal.

[boleyn8420]

Anyone going to Trumps dictatorship to watch football needs their heads tested, especially if they look anything other than Aryan white. However,  the nutter is currently using a law from 1786 to deport Salvadoreans, based on their gang tats, look out tattooed England supporters, even if Aryan looking. The judge who put a 2 week hold on deportations to see if it is in fact legal Trump wants impeached, as in got rid of. Basically, as Trump/Hitler sees nothing wrong in annexing/invading Canada and Greenland then god help any unrest at football stadiums as he wont hesitate to get his Home Guard/Storm Troopers involved in quelling any of that nonsense, lethal force anyone? Oh, and don't, whatever you do think of taking any females with you as his view of females can be best viewed in a bill that he tried to push through the senate recently to allow school officials (not doctors, just school officials following orders, ja) to examine girls from 14 to ensure there are no trans people (so scared of the trans/black/mexican/chinese/ etc people) taking part in sports. No chance of anything going wrong with that as all those school officials will be righteous god fearing people who just want to pray the gay away.

Bit of a fucking rant that but you get the idea - not going to America/Germany anytime soon. Wonder when the first Detention/Concentration camp will be built, probably sponsored by Disney, they love a tower or two.

[threesixty]

Messi has absolutely done wonders but surely the deal as it was to take him there has given Inter Miami an unfair advantage? 

Imagine if hypothetically Sky gave Arsenal a truck load of cash so they could sign Mbappe. 

I think MLS paid Messi from Apple's proceeds, not to Inter Miami.

''Apple was reportedly instrumental in bringing the Argentinian superstar, who is reportedly set to earn $50 to $60 million a year, to the U.S. As part of the profit-sharing agreement, Messi will get a cut of the revenue from new subscribers to Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass, according to ESPN'' 

Ahh, slightly different then, but I guess still an outside entity pitching in money got him there. An entity who now have the broadcast rights to the league.

 

 

the thing is there is no relegation in their league. And I assume every "franchise" (ewww!) has a stake in the MLS business as a whole. A bit like how the PL is essentially owned by all the 20 clubs in the league.

So everybody wins when Messi comes into the league in some way. And it's up to the franchise to market themselves effectively to take advantage of the new eyeballs the league is getting. 

But unlike European leagues where the drop from the main league is financially devastating, this cant happen in MLS. Also, the wage structure for 70% of the players is so low that a "Portsmouth" is unlikely to happen. I believe the USA have had a few failed "soccer" leagues in the 70's/80s and aren't going to let this one go the same way.

[El Scorchio]

 

MLS have always cut crazy deals for talent they think will grow the game as a whole. Beckham got the Inter Miami franchise for joining LA Galaxy etc
I think Messi has done wonders for the leagues profile in the USA. Not so much in Europe though. But Inter Miami shirts are a "thing" fashion wise at least. Never seen that with any other MLS club.

Messi has absolutely done wonders but surely the deal as it was to take him there has given Inter Miami an unfair advantage? 

Imagine if hypothetically Sky gave Arsenal a truck load of cash so they could sign Mbappe. 

I think MLS paid Messi from Apple's proceeds, not to Inter Miami.

''Apple was reportedly instrumental in bringing the Argentinian superstar, who is reportedly set to earn $50 to $60 million a year, to the U.S. As part of the profit-sharing agreement, Messi will get a cut of the revenue from new subscribers to Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass, according to ESPN'' 

Ahh, slightly different then, but I guess still an outside entity pitching in money got him there. An entity who now have the broadcast rights to the league.

[Manuel]

Messi getting money off the broadcaster doesn’t seem  like it’s very in line with fair business practices. Unless they are giving all other teams a similar concession. 

 

MLS have always cut crazy deals for talent they think will grow the game as a whole. Beckham got the Inter Miami franchise for joining LA Galaxy etc
I think Messi has done wonders for the leagues profile in the USA. Not so much in Europe though. But Inter Miami shirts are a "thing" fashion wise at least. Never seen that with any other MLS club.

Messi has absolutely done wonders but surely the deal as it was to take him there has given Inter Miami an unfair advantage? 

Imagine if hypothetically Sky gave Arsenal a truck load of cash so they could sign Mbappe. 

I think MLS paid Messi from Apple's proceeds, not to Inter Miami.

''Apple was reportedly instrumental in bringing the Argentinian superstar, who is reportedly set to earn $50 to $60 million a year, to the U.S. As part of the profit-sharing agreement, Messi will get a cut of the revenue from new subscribers to Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass, according to ESPN'' 

[Manuel]

Games of 4 quarters, specialist substitutions (for free kicks & penalties) and 30 minute half-time "concerts"; you just know (KNOW) that's coming - probably already agreed in private.

 

 

There may well be water breaks at a lot of games, so yea could be 4 quarters in a way.

I see that dates and stadiums for all the matches have all been set out but not KO times yet, apparently one reason is they are trying to 'work around' the heat as best as poss, with 104 games and tv viewing globally to consider, it will take a bit of organizing. maybe they are waiting until after the draw in December to iron out KO times, fuck knows.

[El Scorchio]

Messi getting money off the broadcaster doesn’t seem  like it’s very in line with fair business practices. Unless they are giving all other teams a similar concession. 

 

MLS have always cut crazy deals for talent they think will grow the game as a whole. Beckham got the Inter Miami franchise for joining LA Galaxy etc
I think Messi has done wonders for the leagues profile in the USA. Not so much in Europe though. But Inter Miami shirts are a "thing" fashion wise at least. Never seen that with any other MLS club.

Messi has absolutely done wonders but surely the deal as it was to take him there has given Inter Miami an unfair advantage? 

Imagine if hypothetically Sky gave Arsenal a truck load of cash so they could sign Mbappe. 

[threesixty]

Messi getting money off the broadcaster doesn’t seem  like it’s very in line with fair business practices. Unless they are giving all other teams a similar concession. 

 

 

MLS have always cut crazy deals for talent they think will grow the game as a whole. Beckham got the Inter Miami franchise for joining LA Galaxy etc
I think Messi has done wonders for the leagues profile in the USA. Not so much in Europe though. But Inter Miami shirts are a "thing" fashion wise at least. Never seen that with any other MLS club.

[Mike Oxsaw]

Games of 4 quarters, specialist substitutions (for free kicks & penalties) and 30 minute half-time "concerts"; you just know (KNOW) that's coming - probably already agreed in private.

[El Scorchio]

Messi getting money off the broadcaster doesn’t seem  like it’s very in line with fair business practices. Unless they are giving all other teams a similar concession.