North American Football (Soccer) Pyramid

[kahkakew]

I believe the best solution to uniting and strengthening the overall game and existing football leagues in North America would require the MLS to purchase the NASL and the USL Pro leagues. These two leagues could be renamed as MLS2 and MLS3, which would create a system where relegation and promotion would finally be possible. A further MLS4 could be created which would consist of the MLS reserve squads.

 

As all clubs would be owned by MLS clubs, the restrictive salary caps, minimal required season ticket bases, revenue sharing would greatly assist in stabilizing and developing any and all clubs particularly those with smaller populations to draw revenues and corporate support from.

 

It would be great to see each league consist of a minimum of 24 clubs with each league having 2 conferences of 12 clubs each. Each conference could consist of 6 clubs that were regionally based to enhance and create rivalries. For MLS2 and MLS3 an all Canadian divisions could be created along with possibly a Caribbean division in MLS3.

 

Finally, on par with MLS4 would be the PDL and MLS5 would be for the amateur leagues of the NPSL and the CSL (if it is still in existence) along with the PCSL. This would bring the number of clubs under the North American Football pyramid in excess of 240+ clubs thus ensuring development of the beautiful game in this continent.

 

Several new cup competitions would be created for each new league, as well as an overall North American cup competition similar to the FA cold also be created that included all pro and amateur clubs within this pyramid system.

[baulderdash77]

I don't think that MLS is interested in promotion/relegation.  That concept doesn't appeal to owners who are forking over 50-100 million dollars for a franchise in North America.

 

I think that their "Farm club" model with the USL Pro is what they're interested in developing. 

 

Also NASL still wants to push it's franchise strategy and hope that they can eventually reach something close to MLS in terms of marketability.  I don't see it happening but it's their strategy.

[narduch]

Promotion and relegation will never happen in North America. There is a greater chance of it ending in Europe.

 

The way MLS is heading I will be surprised if the NASL even exists in 20 years. MLS seems intent on going to all the good markets in North America.

[nazzer]

Promotion and relegation will never happen in North America. There is a greater chance of it ending in Europe.

 

The way MLS is heading I will be surprised if the NASL even exists in 20 years. MLS seems intent on going to all the good markets in North America.

 

NASL will definitely still exist, sure they wont be at major markets. But cities like Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, and secondary markets in the USA will never be in the MLS so as long as they are properly run clubs there will be a place for them in NASL"

[JamboAl]

I think many fans of the sport in North America would love promotion and relegation but like others have already noted, I don't think it'll happen (at least in my lifetime) just because of the economics/money in professional sports here.  

 

I also don't see what the incentive MLS would have in buying up the other leagues.  NASL and USL have niches which MLS just aren't interested in.

[Lord Bob]

I also don't see what the incentive MLS would have in buying up the other leagues.  NASL and USL have niches which MLS just aren't interested in.

I think you're right that MLS has nothing to gain by buying the NASL and USL and running them as part of a pyramid, but I'm not sure what you mean about MLS not being interested in their "niches". They've shown a clear willingness to parasitically latch onto markets developed by the lower divisions and pocket big expansion fees. (Indeed, that to me is the most likely reason a buyout of a league will never happen: why spend maybe hundreds of millions on a league, when most of the best teams in that league will give you $40 million for the privilege of joining?)