Bundesliga-MLS Announcement

MLS and Bundesliga are, like, so BFF. The heads of the top league in Germany met with the heads of the top league in the USA in Miami today to announce a new partnership between the two. They will work together to share experience, expertise and best practices.

According to an MLS press release: "Some of the areas being focused on include player development, stadium design, marketing strategies, broadcasting logistics, competition rules and officiating services."

Said Christian Seifert, the Bundesliga CEO, "We look forward to learning from MLS, an exemplary organization and a modern league with an eye on the future. Likewise, we are proud to contribute to the continued rise of soccer in the United States."

My take: Sure, this is another step forward for MLS. But as a fan, I was hoping for something more, maybe a Super Liga-style tournament with German clubs, at the least. Having said that, I know the partnership will pay off in behind-the-scenes operations of the league and only move us forward.

MLS & Bundesliga Announcement On Tap

Top MLS and Bundesliga officials have called a press conference for tomorrow afternoon in Miami, Florida. Commission Don Garber and Deputy Commissioner Ivan Gazidis will join Bundesliga CEO Christian Seifert and Vice President Tom Bender for an "international soccer announcement" at 1 p.m. EST.

The press conference will be held in conjunction with the Miami SPORTEL America event - it is the premier venue for sports programming content to be showcased to networks worldwide.

Could the announcement have something to do with MLS TV rights in Germany? Possibly, but more likely it will be a tournament held between the two leagues, similar to the upcoming Super Liga, to help German teams cash in on the American market, and vice-versa.

Blanco Update

SoccerAmerica.com says negotiations are going very well between the Chicago Fire and Cuauhtemoc Blanco - so well that the two sides are discussing length of contract and salary terms. According to a source close to the negotiations, Blanco wants between $1.5 million and $2 million per year and also wants more than a one-year deal.
At 34, a long-term contract may be a risk, but Blanco's appeal would likely help ticket sales and would add a personality to MLS that precious few could match, good or bad. Since he is still with Club America, Blanco would most likely not join the Fire until after the secondary transfer window opens on June 15th, but it sounds like MLS is pushing to get this deal done.

From Soccer America: "MLS and its marketing arm, SUM, are determined to have Blanco play in the United States this summer - either in the Super Liga competition with Club America, or in MLS with the Fire."

My take: Love him or hate him, Blanco is a polarizing figure that can evoke emotions from even casual soccer fans - both because of his skills and his alleged "dirty" tactics on the pitch. Even at 34, he's got the skills to compete and excel in MLS, if his work ethic is good. At $2 million/year, he would provide instant name recognition among Hispanics in the Chicago area.

I'm not sure Chicago, with or without Blanco, is going to be contending for much this year. They DO have a beautiful new soccer-specific stadium - Toyota Park - and there is a strong core fanbase that AEG should focus on growing by putting a quality soccer team on the pitch consistently.