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MLS wants to be next English Premier League
USA - 09 April, 2008
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MLS deputy commissioner Ivan Gazidis believes his league can touch the big time.
Gazdis wants his league to follow in the footsteps of the English Premier League. Gazidis called the Premier League the most dominant sporting group in the world. Its income is exceeded only by North American-based leagues such as the National Football League, Major League Baseball and the National Basketball Association. But, in terms of worldwide profile and recognition, it's at the top.
Gazidis likes his league's ability to follow the Premier League path, noting the English game was in the "doldrums" in the 1980s before taking on its new persona. He said the next five to ten years would be the most critical to the MLS.
The one notable difference is that the U.S. does not have a heavy youth base to draw on in terms of talent. Many children in the nation grow up playing football, but later opt for the NFL version of football or baseball or basketball.
As of now, the league is heavy on imports. There are home-grown products such as Landon Donovan, but David Beckham, Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Juan Pablo Angel are the name players.
Gazdis wants his league to follow in the footsteps of the English Premier League. Gazidis called the Premier League the most dominant sporting group in the world. Its income is exceeded only by North American-based leagues such as the National Football League, Major League Baseball and the National Basketball Association. But, in terms of worldwide profile and recognition, it's at the top.
Gazidis likes his league's ability to follow the Premier League path, noting the English game was in the "doldrums" in the 1980s before taking on its new persona. He said the next five to ten years would be the most critical to the MLS.
The one notable difference is that the U.S. does not have a heavy youth base to draw on in terms of talent. Many children in the nation grow up playing football, but later opt for the NFL version of football or baseball or basketball.
As of now, the league is heavy on imports. There are home-grown products such as Landon Donovan, but David Beckham, Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Juan Pablo Angel are the name players.
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