MLS commissioner Don Gerber acknowledges that promotion and relegation may exist for the US at some point in the future, but also suggested he doesn’t think ‘it works today’ .
“This is a ‘never say,'” Garber said. “I’ve been pretty consistent about it. We shouldn’t walk away from having the courage to evolve over time. As the league continues to grow and evolve, our fan base and marketplace continue to grow and evolve.” So there’s no reason not to think about a new structure.
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Gerber also emphasized the differences between the sports environment in the United States and those that exist in Europe, South America, and elsewhere.
“They don’t have to build their own stadiums. If they don’t win, suddenly they have to play in another league,” he said. “And without disrespecting other leagues, I learned my lesson. Comments on Chattanooga Nowhere today can sustain an economic environment that could support promotion and relegation as it was years ago. Maybe at some point in the future, maybe after I’m no longer Commissioner, but life is long. ”
Inter Miami manager Phil Neville became a hot topic recently Garber spoke at length on the topic when he suggested that MLS should make a “brave decision” and assess the possibility of starting promotion and relegation. MLS’s closed system is unique to global football, where teams are given the opportunity to climb up and down the pyramid year after year.
By all accounts, MLS never considered adopting that system. Nashville SC CEO Ian Ayre It was called the idea of MLS owners voting for promotion and relegation It’s like “turkeys voting on Thanksgiving”.
Some observers of the global game believe that the lack of promotion and relegation in MLS is a factor in the league’s struggle to reach more viewers, especially overseas, where few people consume the league. suggests that it is.
“With no promotion or relegation, I’m not sure I fully agree with the premise that international football fans will never get involved in an MLS club or league,” Garber said. “We have to agree that that’s what drives the energy around fan enthusiasm. It’s one aspect of it, but in my opinion it overemphasizes the concept.”
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Garber also pointed to the fact that the NBA and NFL have not embraced the concept and it continues to be popular abroad.
“There are no promotions and relegations in (other American) major leagues,” he said. Still, it doesn’t really follow[those leagues]as much as anyone in the world would like.
“The real question is, can MLS create a global audience with global partners that make the game more accessible than ever, arguably more accessible than any other league in the world? I think.”
Garber also spoke of the popularity of continental competition as a catalyst for “internal” promotion and relegation within the major leagues. The competition pales in comparison (and prize money) to other teams around the world.
“We don’t have that value yet,” says Garber. “If that value existed here, and if the CONCACAF Champions League paid what the European Champions League is paying, and if the competition to be that qualifier was so high, we would be better off with the rest. will have an internal drama that exists in the world.”
Still, Garber refuses to close the door on the possibility of implementing the system at some point, suggesting that MLS is constantly evolving its business model.
“I’m the guy who collected all the money in this league,” he said. , if we find that we need to grow our global audience, we will cross that bridge.”
(Photo credit: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
