US Soccer Presidential Race

I am hoping for change, unification, and a true soccer pyramid to get the best players, teams, and coaches to the top. Hopefully not Kathy Carter, SUM is where all the MLS owners hide their money to avoid actually paying players.

https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/ne...andidates-how-voting-works-and-election-date/

Agreed! Thx for sharing the voting process. I found Kyle Martino’s perspective refreshing and missing today:

https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/ne...president-and-hes-acting-like-he-already-his/
 
Kathy Carter has tons more real soccer experience than Gulati (she actually played the game at William and Mary), but she got her real power in the soccer world the same way he did - working for MLS. Electing her would mean just more of the same.
 
Yep, Interesting new development:
Hope Solo sues the soccer federation she wants to run
"Solo filed a formal complaint Tuesday against the United States Soccer Federation, of which she hopes to be elected president on Feb. 10, accusing the governing body of neglecting youth soccer development for the sake of self-serving financial gain"
https://nypost.com/2018/01/30/hope-solo-sues-the-soccer-federation-she-wants-to-run/

Think she has a point about the "neglect & self-serving financial gain"......$100-140 million war chest controlled by investment bankers is not doing a whole lot for youth soccer development.
 
When you look at the 5 top voting blocks, which are weighted, you can see that the MLS garners the most weight by a factor of 4.5x over the next group.

2017 National Council in Maui:
180.32 MLS
45.08 NWSL
45.08 USL
43.16 AYSO
43.16 U.S. Club Soccer

Kathy Carter is the MLS choice from a Political perspective and will likely be the next President. Her ESPN interview/statement: http://www.espn.com/soccer/club/uni...presidential-candidate-answers-espn-questions.

Kathy Carter is a Sunil Gulati puppet that is the head of SUM and if she wins it will be a further sign that US Soccer doesn't care about developing soccer in America. All they care about is money. I sure hope that Miss Solo or another outsider wins. I also hope that the USOC sanctions them.

http://hopesolo.com/2018/01/30/a-call-to-the-usoc/

Download the complaint from the link. Her complaint has merit and she could win due to the overwhelming facts and evidence on her side.
 
Kathy Carter is a Sunil Gulati puppet that is the head of SUM and if she wins it will be a further sign that US Soccer doesn't care about developing soccer in America. All they care about is money. I sure hope that Miss Solo or another outsider wins. I also hope that the USOC sanctions them.

http://hopesolo.com/2018/01/30/a-call-to-the-usoc/

Download the complaint from the link. Her complaint has merit and she could win due to the overwhelming facts and evidence on her side.

That may be true, but its unlikely to change the vote given the strength of the MLS block. The SUM deal goes through 2022, so that is the next window for discussion.

There are some good things about the SUM deal and that is total elimination of risk at the expense of giving up some upside. With a guaranteed $30M/year ($240M) going to US Soccer over the life of the eight year $720M deal, its not a terrible deal in light of the fact that the contract is a bundling of US Soccer and MLS TV rights, with the MLS playing far more televised games than US Soccer in any given year. That said, what might have been a good idea in 2014 doesn't look as sound in 2018 and moving forward.

At the time, the idea of bundling the MLS and US Soccer properties were sound and remain sound especially in light of the men's 2018 WC failure. The contract rights for 2026 will be huge if the Can/US/Mex partnership secures the bid because we can't fail with the guaranteed entry (whoohoo).

At the end of the day, putting aside bias, this election is a good thing because it represents an opportunity to get many voices heard. There will be structural changes and much more focus on US Soccer. We still need to desperately promote the adult/pro game in the US and MLS/SUM is a major part of that effort because that will drive the health of youth soccer. So while the deal may not be as sweet as it can be, its still not a bad deal.
 
That may be true, but its unlikely to change the vote given the strength of the MLS block. The SUM deal goes through 2022, so that is the next window for discussion.

There are some good things about the SUM deal and that is total elimination of risk at the expense of giving up some upside. With a guaranteed $30M/year ($240M) going to US Soccer over the life of the eight year $720M deal, its not a terrible deal in light of the fact that the contract is a bundling of US Soccer and MLS TV rights, with the MLS playing far more televised games than US Soccer in any given year. That said, what might have been a good idea in 2014 doesn't look as sound in 2018 and moving forward.

At the time, the idea of bundling the MLS and US Soccer properties were sound and remain sound especially in light of the men's 2018 WC failure. The contract rights for 2026 will be huge if the Can/US/Mex partnership secures the bid because we can't fail with the guaranteed entry (whoohoo).

At the end of the day, putting aside bias, this election is a good thing because it represents an opportunity to get many voices heard. There will be structural changes and much more focus on US Soccer. We still need to desperately promote the adult/pro game in the US and MLS/SUM is a major part of that effort because that will drive the health of youth soccer. So while the deal may not be as sweet as it can be, its still not a bad deal.

I disagree. In what other US sport does the federation have a stake in the league? Could you imagine US Basketball splitting the money with the NBA? The real problem is that the focus of the federation isn't on growing the game and improving our performance internationally. Their focus is on making money through their partnerships with the MLS and SUM. Why aren't they as involved in the NWSL? Why didn't they package the television rights of their women's league with the broadcast and marketing rights for the MLS and national teams? It is another example of how poorly we here in America manage most things that don't have strict accountability.
 
When you look at the 5 top voting blocks, which are weighted, you can see that the MLS garners the most weight by a factor of 4.5x over the next group.

2017 National Council in Maui:
180.32 MLS
45.08 NWSL
45.08 USL
43.16 AYSO
43.16 U.S. Club Soccer

Kathy Carter is the MLS choice from a Political perspective and will likely be the next President. Her ESPN interview/statement: http://www.espn.com/soccer/club/uni...presidential-candidate-answers-espn-questions.

Wow! those numbers are upside down. The votes should be representative of the number of constituents served, like Congress, or at least like the Senate to give equal representation to each interested party. But this voting structure is like Hillary against Bernie at the DNC. He never stood a chance!
 
Yep, Interesting new development:
Hope Solo sues the soccer federation she wants to run
"Solo filed a formal complaint Tuesday against the United States Soccer Federation, of which she hopes to be elected president on Feb. 10, accusing the governing body of neglecting youth soccer development for the sake of self-serving financial gain"
https://nypost.com/2018/01/30/hope-solo-sues-the-soccer-federation-she-wants-to-run/

Think she has a point about the "neglect & self-serving financial gain"......$100-140 million war chest controlled by investment bankers is not doing a whole lot for youth soccer development.
That may be true, but its unlikely to change the vote given the strength of the MLS block. The SUM deal goes through 2022, so that is the next window for discussion.

There are some good things about the SUM deal and that is total elimination of risk at the expense of giving up some upside. With a guaranteed $30M/year ($240M) going to US Soccer over the life of the eight year $720M deal, its not a terrible deal in light of the fact that the contract is a bundling of US Soccer and MLS TV rights, with the MLS playing far more televised games than US Soccer in any given year. That said, what might have been a good idea in 2014 doesn't look as sound in 2018 and moving forward.

At the time, the idea of bundling the MLS and US Soccer properties were sound and remain sound especially in light of the men's 2018 WC failure. The contract rights for 2026 will be huge if the Can/US/Mex partnership secures the bid because we can't fail with the guaranteed entry (whoohoo).

At the end of the day, putting aside bias, this election is a good thing because it represents an opportunity to get many voices heard. There will be structural changes and much more focus on US Soccer. We still need to desperately promote the adult/pro game in the US and MLS/SUM is a major part of that effort because that will drive the health of youth soccer. So while the deal may not be as sweet as it can be, its still not a bad deal.

If there is a combined North American WC, all three countries would get auto entry spots? I don't see that happening unless they win their way through the CONCACAF qualifers the old fashioned way.
 
I disagree. In what other US sport does the federation have a stake in the league? Could you imagine US Basketball splitting the money with the NBA? The real problem is that the focus of the federation isn't on growing the game and improving our performance internationally. Their focus is on making money through their partnerships with the MLS and SUM. Why aren't they as involved in the NWSL? Why didn't they package the television rights of their women's league with the broadcast and marketing rights for the MLS and national teams? It is another example of how poorly we here in America manage most things that don't have strict accountability.

What other US sport does the federation have a stake in the league?
Soccer is unique for two reasons due to FIFA regulations.

1) The USSF actually sanctions the professional leagues. It is the governing body for the professional divisions (Major League Soccer (MLS) (Div. I), North American Soccer League (NASL) (Div. II) and United Soccer League (USL) (Div. III). USA Basketball, USA Hockey, USA Baseball do not provide oversight for the professional leagues. These organizations are limited in their scope focusing on the Olympic teams and youth development. The NFL, MLB, and NHL are all leagues with no oversight from the Olympic Committees or other national bodies. The MLS is wholly unique in that it is subject to the oversight of the USSF.

2) FIFA holds and promotes a 4 year cycle tournament (World Cup) that makes billions of dollars in addition to the Olympics. The World Cup provides a massive financial incentive beyond the Olympics. There are no other International programs like FIFA's world cup operating in the US, other than soccer. Note, FIBA (USA Basketball) does participate in a Basketball World Cup, but its financially no were near the Soccer World Cup.


Could you imagine US Basketball splitting the money with the NBA?
If (1) US Basketball had oversight of the NBA & (2) USA Basketball's media properties were valuable. However, as noted above, this is not how it works with the NBA, NFL, MLB, and NHL. That said, your questions raises an important issue ... money. Let's take a quick look at the current "TV Contracts" for the various professional sports operating in the USA.

League / Broadcaster / Contract Value
NFL / Fox, CBS, NBC, ESPN / $27 billion
NBA / ABC, ESPN, TNT / $24 billion
MLB / Fox, TBS, ESPN / $12.4 billion
NHL / Rogers (Canada) NBC, Versus (U.S.) / $5.2 billion $2 billion
MLS-US Soccer / ESPN, Fox, Univision / $720 million​



The fact that professional soccer's contract is nearly 37.5x less valuable than the NFL is damning evidence that the MLS and US Soccer are in entirely different negotiating positions than the NFL (37.5x), NBA (33.3x), MLB (16x) and NHL (10x). However, the question also raises a good point as to the other Olympic Federations (USA Basketball, USA Baseball, USA Hockey). The total value of the media deals entered into by those federations is $0. FIBA (basketball) did enter into a deal with ESPN, the value of which isn't clear and presumably USA Basketball will get a cut of some of the revenue, but the contract with with the International federation.

US Soccer is currently the only US Federation that actually has a TV deal (near as I can tell) ... thanks to the MLS/SUM for helping out with that one.

Why aren't they as involved in the NWSL? Why didn't they package the television rights of their women's league with the broadcast and marketing rights for the MLS and national teams?
By "they" you mean US Soccer? First of all, US Soccer is more involved with the NWSL (assisting with management and logistics) versus the MLS. Soccer United Marketing (SUM) is the MLS controlled marketing company. The NWSL formed a marketing company (just like the MLS did) in partnership with the A&E Networks called NWLS Media. There are multiple reasons why US Soccer could not package the NWSL in the media deal. But your question is disconcerting because it implies that US Soccer somehow has "control" of the MLS and NWSL. Both the MLS and NWSL are "for-profit" companies. Businesses that are intended to "stand" on their own without financial support from US Soccer. MSL has its own investors and management team. NWSL has its own investors, but the USSF serves as the manager due to the fact its financial not viable. Both the USSF and Canadian Soccer Association financially support the NWSL, but are now owners. While they are members of US Soccer (governing body), they conduct their businesses as they see fit. US Soccer simply has no right to sell media rights on behalf of the MLS or the NWSL.

The simple answer to your question "why didn't they package" the TV rights for the NWSL is because in 2014 (and presently) the NWSL has little to no media value and would have likely caused the deal to lose value. It would have been extremely bad business at the time. Additional points:

1. US Soccer joined the MLS/SUM deal and was a passenger to the deal. SUM is a stand alone for-profit company (controlled by the MLS owners). US Soccer does not control SUM.
2. The NWSL is an Eastern/Central Regional League with no west coast presence (no California teams). As a media property, it had little to no value in 2013 ... its first season to any network.
3. From 2013 to 2016 continued to struggle and generated little spectator interest. In 2016, its average attendance was about 5k per game.
4. As a media property, its value is insignificant (today). The A&E deal was an investment, with A&E taking a 25% state in the league. A&E hopes to ride the USWNT coat tails in a few years.
5. The viability of the league remains clouded and its costs US Soccer about $1.4 Million per year to keep it afloat.
 

I don't disagree with anything Geoff Cameron said. The MLS financial structure on transfer fees has become an impediment for players requiring showdowns with their clubs (see, https://deadspin.com/cyle-larins-transfer-debacle-demonstrates-once-again-ho-1822634836 and http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/camilo-sanvezzo-sold-to-mexican-club-1.2501117).

With regard to the youth, FIFA's Article 19 makes taking our youth talent oversees virtually impossible. On the points made, the USSF could apply pressure for an MLS rule change on transfers and should definitely attempt to add some additional exception to Article 19, such as a welfare review board and structured educational investment trusts for youth.

If Kyle Martino does make it, I think he gives us the best chance of changing some of these issues. Kyle's progress plan:
https://static1.squarespace.com/sta...4884889/EveryonesGameProgressPlanComplete.pdf
 
Inside job again....:mad: :(:rolleyes:

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:(
 
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