Is it time to dismantle the CSA?

[Robert]

Has the time finally come to say enough is enough? There's no point in making another list of all the shortcomings this organization has. The questions are; Does the CSA delivered satisfaction to any segment of the Canadian soccer community, and if not, How can the CSA be replaced? Simply having a plan on how to run a national soccer association is not enough to replace an already existing national association. Without the support of fans, players, clubs and regional associations there is no one to work with. And in order to get the afore mentioned on board, something of greater value than they are presently receiving now MUST be offered to them. The CSA can only be replaced if their associations (FIFA membership, sponsors, provincial associations, registered clubs and registered players, etc.) abandon them.

[youllneverwalkalone]

To my mind there's only one thing wrong with the CSA:

It's an amateur organization completely incapable of dealing with professional footballers and hosting professional events.

As it's professional footballers who are required to qualify us for major tournaments, the MNT must be run by professionals.

If I were a Paul Peschisolido or Jason DeVos, I would try to form a union of Canadian professional footballers. This union could work with MLSE, Saputo and Kerfoot to make the MNT a success on and off the field.

There are what, 10-12 international dates per year? These could be made profitable if properly marketed to the supporters in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. If we make the World Cup, then there's an addional windfall but, at the end of the day, all Canada needs in the short-term is to generate enough revenue to hire a credible manager, a professional staff, arrange first class flights and accomodation, and hold prepatory camps. What would this realistically cost? $2-3 million per year is my guess.

Ten home matches per year, with 10,000 spectators generating contribution margin of $20-30 per head for tickets, concessions, and merch. Much less if sponsor were properly tapped.

It's not that complicated if someone would show some leadership.

[Daniel]

quote:Originally posted by youllneverwalkalone

It's not that complicated if someone would be allowed to show some leadership.

FYP

[jpg75]

quote:Originally posted by youllneverwalkalone

To my mind there's only one thing wrong with the CSA:

It's an amateur organization completely incapable of dealing with professional footballers and hosting professional events.

As it's professional footballers who are required to qualify us for major tournaments, the MNT must be run by professionals.

If I were a Paul Peschisolido or Jason DeVos, I would try to form a union of Canadian professional footballers. This union could work with MLSE, Saputo and Kerfoot to make the MNT a success on and off the field.

There are what, 10-12 international dates per year? These could be made profitable if properly marketed to the supporters in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. If we make the World Cup, then there's an addional windfall but, at the end of the day, all Canada needs in the short-term is to generate enough revenue to hire a credible manager, a professional staff, arrange first class flights and accomodation, and hold prepatory camps. What would this realistically cost? $2-3 million per year is my guess.

Ten home matches per year, with 10,000 spectators generating contribution margin of $20-30 per head for tickets, concessions, and merch. Much less if sponsor were properly tapped.

It's not that complicated if someone would show some leadership.

Depending on who we're playing, the 200-300K in revenue from hosting the game gets eaten up almost entirely in paying the expenses and appearance fee of our guest.

[youllneverwalkalone]

Contribution margin would be net of those expenses. As a for instance, $40 for a ticket + $10 for beer + $5 for food + $15 for a scarf = $70 gross revenue less $40-50 to MLSE/Visiting team/misc.

I don't know the numbers so I'm talking out of my ass, but *generally* speaking my point is that the MNT could and should be self-sustaining.

If this were the case, I don't think the vast majority of us would hav too many beefs with the CSA in terms of youth soccer or the women's game. Except maybe Robert.

[youllneverwalkalone]

quote:Originally posted by Daniel

FYP

Would FIFA intercede on behalf of the CSA if the professional players attempted to organize their own association to represent Canada in top international competitions?

That's honest question, I don't know the answer. I would hope that they would allow it and/or that the CSA wouldn't object.

It's as plain as day that the playing level of our country's best is completely out of balance with ability of our association to manage/ support that level of talent. For anybody to intercede to maintain the status quo would be seriously mentally retarded.

[SthMelbRed]

FIFA wouldn't get involved, in my opinion. I base this on the following logic. If such a players' union formed and challenged the CSA for autonomy over the national team(s), the resulting crisis would puch the CSA to breaking point. They could either fight, and take the risk of having to field a senior team consisting of whichever players opted out of the new players' organisation. As it is pretty clear the player disaffection with the CSA is nearly unanimous, I reckon the CSA would be faced with two options: 1) resist the players and put out basically youth or amateur sides to represent us at senior level, or 2) negotiate a new relationship with the players, complete with a new administrative structure.

The logical makeup of the new structure would be to create a new entity that would be in charge of the senior national team, and perhaps the U20s and U23s as well. They would be run by a board with a couple of CSA types but dominated by the professional clubs. Maybe a six person board made up of 2 CSA reps, 3 pro club reps, and one players' union rep. The national team would strive to become self-funding and non-profit. Any profit generated would go towards player bonuses and improving staff and infrastructure. The existing CSA would continue their grab-assing, but be limited to holding sway over the amateur game.

[rick10]

the csa is a fifa private organization , they belong to fifa. If the goverment or even players decide to form their own union kind of thing canada takes the risk of getting suspended from FIFA sponsor events such as world cup , qualifiers , etc (almost everything).

FIFA is a mafia

I remembered that something similar happened in southamerica , Peru to be exact. The goverment and the peruvian sports assocciation try to interfere with the PSA (peruvian soccer ass.)and fifa sent a letter indicating that the peru could be suspended if they proceed with the interfere with the PSA.

The only people that can boycot the CSA are the soccer clubs

[Loud Mouth Soup]

So Rick, how did Argentina get around selling their friendlies to the Russians, and avoid FIFA punishment?

[rick10]

quote:Originally posted by Loud Mouth Soup

So Rick, how did Argentina get around selling their friendlies to the Russians, and avoid FIFA punishment?

argentinas soccer association is been run by the same president since 1979 , julio grondona.

[ag futbol]

Not that I'd want to duff the WC cycle or anything but temporary punishment is nothing compared to permanent gain. When the dust settles we'll look a lot more fuctional.

Bring on the change.

[The Ref]

If the CSA voluntarily relinquishes power to a new organization (dream on), then there shouldn't be any problem with Fifa. And I agree that the CSA in a modified form could continue as a coordinating agency for the provinces and their youth programs.

[Scottie]

quote:Originally posted by rick10

the csa is a fifa private organization , they belong to fifa. If the goverment or even players decide to form their own union kind of thing canada takes the risk of getting suspended from FIFA sponsor events such as world cup , qualifiers , etc (almost everything).

FIFA is a mafia

I remembered that something similar happened in southamerica , Peru to be exact. The goverment and the peruvian sports assocciation try to interfere with the PSA (peruvian soccer ass.)and fifa sent a letter indicating that the peru could be suspended if they proceed with the interfere with the PSA.

The only people that can boycot the CSA are the soccer clubs

That sounds odd, because I'm pretty sure it was those exact bodies (government and national sport association) that managed to blow up soccer australia and reform it to what it is now. Wonder what the difference was.

[Loud Mouth Soup]

quote:Originally posted by rick10

[br]

argentinas soccer association is been run by the same president since 1979, julio grondona.

The AFA sold the rights to their friendly matches to a Russian businessman who organizes, promotesm and pays the AFA for the matches.

How does that person's presence affect this deal? Is he able to get away with it and not be punished by FIFA?

[L.T.]

quote:Originally posted by Scottie

That sounds odd, because I'm pretty sure it was those exact bodies (government and national sport association) that managed to blow up soccer australia and reform it to what it is now. Wonder what the difference was.

I think the difference was that the Australian FA agreed to the reforms... (Can't see that happening here with this bunch!)

[ag futbol]

quote:Originally posted by L.T.

[br]

I think the difference was that the Australian FA agreed to the reforms... (Can't see that happening here with this bunch!)

I think the catch 22 with that was they only did it once the government threated to pull their funding. They actually weren't going to implement the reforms at all.

[rick10]

quote:Originally posted by Loud Mouth Soup

[br]

The AFA sold the rights to their friendly matches to a Russian businessman who organizes, promotesm and pays the AFA for the matches.

How does that person's presence affect this deal? Is he able to get away with it and not be punished by FIFA?

you just said it , the AFA agreed to sell them. Which means the CSA has to agreed for something to happen in regards to soccer.

[Robert]

I doubt that FIFA would get involved in a Canadian domestic dispute, although if matters were to get totally out of control, something like a direct Taliban hit at the next CSA annual meeting, there might be some mild form of sanctions improsed on Canadian soccer for a short period of time.

In respose to youllneverwalkalone's comment, "If this were the case, I don't think the vast majority of us would hav too many beefs with the CSA in terms of youth soccer or the women's game. Except maybe Robert."

I agree whole heartedly. If Canadian soccer revenues are such that only the Men's Senior Team can be supported, so be it. Why send a bunch of 15 year old schoolboys to Peru, if it compromises the senior program in any way. For those who agrue this position, please provide some facts that support where the cost of developing 15 year old schoolboys, by sending them to Peru, has paid dividends further down the road. Same with the Women's program. Sorry Ladies. But the cost of running all the different levels of the Women's program does SQUAT for the senior men's program. Until Canadian soccer begins to generate enough revenue on its own, which at the rate that were going at probably won't happen in our lifetimes, the order of priorities should be as follows:

1) Senior men.

2) U20 men.

3) U17 men.

4) Senior women.

5) U19 women.

We should not start spending part of our budget for the senior men on the U20 men until the senior men start earning enough revenue to pay for their program and to support the next level. Anyone who thinks the reverse is going to do the trick, for instances the U19 women supporting themselves and the next level up must be smoking crack. Unfortunately, since our financial house is not in order, we have to make cuts, something the head honchos at the CSA have never been able to figure out. Why? Because they like to accompany 15 year old schoolboys to Peru. Because they like exotic holidays. And because they've earn them after putting up with those ungrateful Canadian soccer supporters, who dare to think they know what's best for Canadian soccer.