More competition and more obstacles

Probably not too much, considering baseball is not played in nearly as many countries.  But, this Classic is a thorn in the side of MLS. 

As the opening week of the new MLS season approaches, the Classic will be entering its final days.  Who do you think will get more media attention?

These scheduling conflicts wouldn’t be a big deal, if MLS was an established league.   MLS needs to be more aware of the gains other sports are making, and the media attention that they are receiving.  They should always be anticipating these things, and make whatever alterations necessary.  Stealing the spotlight is the name of the game for any sport, especially with the financial times as they are.

The World Baeball Classic only gives MLB more strength for its upcoming season, regardless if the U.S. wins or not.

Basketball is another sport trying to carve a bigger share of the sporting audience.  The NBA’s developmental league, www.nba.com/dleague , has started to make more headlines.  Now, it is owned by the NBA itself, and it has become more established in certain marketplaces.  Cities like Albuquerque, Reno, Tulsa, and Austin are even more basketball oriented than they were before.

Potentially, the NBADL is stealing soccer’s thunder.  Why hasn’t MLS tried to get to more mid-level cities or area’s that don’t have one of the big 3 sports?

The NBADL ends its season in late April, but I’m sure they have plans for it to continue later and later as the years go by.  And, I expect they plan on franchising to more mid-range level cities or areas, as well. 

Of course, there’s been some good news lately for MLS in terms of the excitement in Seattle and for the new franchises to be announced soon, but, that good news is tempered by the reality that Soccer is not attracting enough sports fans, and the big 3 keep pushing their sports more and more.