https://twitter.com/andrewdasnyt/status/601064189835223040
Take that, Miami Beckhams!
Beckham's MLS bid isn't looking good. I suspect the only reason why MLS is putting on a brave face about it is that the bid's chances of success will collapse entirely if the league shows any wavering in support. I'm guessing that MLS HQ doesn't love how they increasingly sound like Baghdad Bob and consequently, I'm guessing that Beckham's clock is winding down.
Also remember that Beckham's bid comes from the ownership clause in the contract he signed in 2007.....I would not be surprised if MLS is legally obligated to support the bid for a certain period of time.
Putting a team in Miami is an interesting/strange move for the NASL because they already have a team in Fort Lauderdale. To my knowledge, no minor league has ever pulled off having two teams in one metro area effectively. Everything hinges on how well Miami FC executes and it will be far, far from easy. Miami's a bad sports market, selling minor league soccer will be tough, the Strikers will compete for fans, and I have no idea where they'll play. And if MLS ever works something out in the market, it's over for NASL Miami, if not for NASL FTL as well.
There was a fantastic atmosphere at RBA in the first "Hudson River Derby" or whatever it is going to be called. Building a similar rivalry in South Florida in a minor league is much more challenging, but it's an interesting experiment I suppose. Also, the NASL's leadership has a real chip on their shoulder vis a vis MLS, and they probably couldn't resist the opportunity to stick their finger in MLS' eye in Miami.
There would be tons of local games in Florida, at least, with teams in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa Bay, and Jacksonville. Jax leads the NASL in attendance with 10k+ so far, FTL is more than doubling last year's number so far at 7k+, Tampa is over 6k+. Add in Orlando in MLS and Florida....I never knew you had it in you. Can NASL Miami do it too? We'll need to see how the team rolls everything out before we can make a solid guess.
Take that, Miami Beckhams!
Beckham's MLS bid isn't looking good. I suspect the only reason why MLS is putting on a brave face about it is that the bid's chances of success will collapse entirely if the league shows any wavering in support. I'm guessing that MLS HQ doesn't love how they increasingly sound like Baghdad Bob and consequently, I'm guessing that Beckham's clock is winding down.
Also remember that Beckham's bid comes from the ownership clause in the contract he signed in 2007.....I would not be surprised if MLS is legally obligated to support the bid for a certain period of time.
Putting a team in Miami is an interesting/strange move for the NASL because they already have a team in Fort Lauderdale. To my knowledge, no minor league has ever pulled off having two teams in one metro area effectively. Everything hinges on how well Miami FC executes and it will be far, far from easy. Miami's a bad sports market, selling minor league soccer will be tough, the Strikers will compete for fans, and I have no idea where they'll play. And if MLS ever works something out in the market, it's over for NASL Miami, if not for NASL FTL as well.
There was a fantastic atmosphere at RBA in the first "Hudson River Derby" or whatever it is going to be called. Building a similar rivalry in South Florida in a minor league is much more challenging, but it's an interesting experiment I suppose. Also, the NASL's leadership has a real chip on their shoulder vis a vis MLS, and they probably couldn't resist the opportunity to stick their finger in MLS' eye in Miami.
There would be tons of local games in Florida, at least, with teams in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa Bay, and Jacksonville. Jax leads the NASL in attendance with 10k+ so far, FTL is more than doubling last year's number so far at 7k+, Tampa is over 6k+. Add in Orlando in MLS and Florida....I never knew you had it in you. Can NASL Miami do it too? We'll need to see how the team rolls everything out before we can make a solid guess.
