To say the least, MLS’s All-Star Game, which drew more than 70,000 fans last week, is doing a lot better than the J-League’s mid-season classic.
The J-League pulled the plug on its2010 all-star game, a fixture since its launch in 1993. The league said the reason for the cancellation was logistical — a tight post-World Cup schedule — and not one triggered by financialtroubles. “We couldn’t find a date to agree with sponsors,” J-League media officer Rina Iwamoto said. “We’re negotiating to play thefixture next year but at the moment nothing has been decided.”
The J-League, like other Japanese sports organizations, has been hurt by the downturn in the global economy. It had tobail out debt-ridden Oita Trinita from the brink of bankruptcy, while former power Tokyo Verdy faces financial problems. League attendance is strong, however. It stands at 19,296 a game, slightlyhigher than last year.