http://www.metronews.ca/toronto/comment/ar...ning-to-buy-usl

"In what amounts to a Major League Soccer fan’s wet dream, the lower-level United Soccer Leagues has been put up for sale and two league sources have confirmed that MLS has inquired into purchasing it.

It’s long been debated, hypothesized and drooled over by those who follow the North American game: What would happen if MLS bought USL and created a promotion-relegation system similar to the one that exists in Europe?

It’s a question that will have to wait, as I’ve been told a group of investors have the inside track on buying the USL — and that the deal will ‘be coming to a conclusion very soon.’

When contacted Friday, the USL front office offered little information.

“We are a private business and as such it is not our intention to speak publicly to the media at this time,” said Tim Holt, executive vice president and COO of the USL.

Holt would not comment on the financial state of the league, but did confirm that the league is still actively seeking expansion markets and that Ottawa is on a list of 15 potential cities.

“In the short term we are okay with being a second tier in North America. But the league needs to start asking the question: What are we aspiring to be? A very strong, stable second division? Or are we interested in chasing first division?”

Chris Economides, senior director of USL-1, answered one of those questions last week when he told a Cleveland newspaper that only three to six of the league’s 11 teams are profitable. Economides also let it slip on Radio-Canada that Nike, the majority owner of USL, had put the team up for sale back in July.

Over the weekend, Vancouver Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi confirmed to me that several groups had expressed interest in the USL, but was cautious not to say much more, as the deal was reaching a critical point in negotiations.

“The USL owners have been in the loop the whole way since Nike put the league up for sale. There are a couple groups that are interested,” he said.

Two USL sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed MLS’s interest, but both said that it was looking less likely now, as MLS was not interested in the type of numbers Nike had asked for.

Their feeling was unless something dramatic happens, the third group, comprised of private investors, will be announced in the week ahead as the new owners of the USL.

It’s a move that will keep MLS — with its stranglehold on the North American market — honest, but one that effectively kills any dreams of promotion-relegation in the near future.

– Watch Ben Rycroft on the It’s Called Football show every Monday at metronews.ca; ben.rycroft@metronews.ca"


What does this mean for the future of USL? I'd hate to see it become a farm system for MLS.... and obviously promotion and relegation is an unrealistic dream in the foreseeable future.... ehh should be interesting to see how it pans out. Once MLS stops expansion it will be really interesting to see the fate of USL-1 and what it could become.

I had no idea Nike was majority owner of USL. A league that has Umbro and Adidas kits (possibly others)

Biggest thing is can USL survive in coming years. All it will have left is a few mid to small clubs like Rochester and Puerto Rico in 2013. Can it find a way to change after losing multiple tent pole clubs? Be interesting to see who buys in and how much they put in.

I'd say most likely is USL will be separate from MLS and struggle and likely continue to see clubs come and go every year.

Once MLS is done expanding you would think possibly USL could secure big markets that didn't make it into the MLS 20 and grow from their hopefully....... for arguments sake lets say a second new york team is the 20th MLS franchise.....

USL1 looks like this....

Austin
Carolina
Charleston
Cleveland
Miami
Minnesota
Puerto Rico
Rochester
Tampa Bay

thats 9 teams with some hopes of becoming fairly stable.....

then other markets can come into play... (or back into play in some cases)

Atlanta
St. Louis
Orlando
San Antonio
Ottawa
Detroit
Milwaukee
Phoenix


And if the league stays stable after that and can start to make some sort of money then maybe you see some of the USL2 teams that went down to cut costs go back up or larger cities that were always in USL2 to go up.. so then ya got lets say...

Charlotte
Pittsburgh
Baltimore



Obviously not every market would get a team and be around or successful or whatever... but right there is 20 potentially fairly strong markets USL1 could be tapped into.

Some of those markets could be potential big enough to start promotion relegation. If it was handled well. That would truly be special.

we could only wish.... promotion and relegation is going to be a big debate for years to come....

If MLS caps at 20... and these USL1markets/potential USL1 markets do well the case would certainly be easier to make, but still tricky....... it'd have to be one hell of a plan and one hell of a sales pitch to get it done......

the only other way I could see Pro/Rel happening is if USL dies and maybe MLS tries to continue expansion after 20... or maybe USL gets strong with these other markets and MLS buys them out and takes the top franchises.... either way lets say one way or another MLS gets to be around 30 teams like the other US Sports Leagues.... then some years later... they realize.. "oh crap there are too many teams and it is causing problems... we screwed up" so then instead of looking to contract the league they propose splitting the league and having Promotion and Relegation for the next season......

sounds bad initially but could be a blessing in disguise for people hoping for Pro/Rel one day.... also once this system gets established it would basically allow room for unlimited expansion from that point on.....

but I doubt that hypothetical ever happens.