[AROUND THE NET] As demand for soccer fields grows, the sport comes in competition with those who would like to keep the habitat as is. In Denton, Texas, thatpits soccer against bird-watchers. On a wintry day in the park, Tom Judd points out to the Dallas Morning News all the birds who depend onnative trees […]
business
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
MLS players warned by AEG boss Leiweke
Nobody has put more money into MLS than AEG and its owner, Phil Anschutz, and AEG chief executive Tim Leiweke calledthe threat of a player strike “ridiculous.” “Here’s our issue, and I’m speaking on behalf of AEG,” Leiweke said. “We have spent to the tune of $300 million on soccer. We have spent moneyon facilities. […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Citi named second founding sponsor
[WPS] Women’s Professional Soccer has signed financial services company Citi as its second founding partner. Citi joins Puma, a founding partner duringthe WPS inaugural season. “Given our global reach, Citi is thrilled to contribute to the growth of the world’s most popular game here in the United States,” said MarkIngall, Citi Managing Director, Global Strategic […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Lessons from NASL player strike
Labor problems have haunted professional soccer for years, going back to the NASL strike of 1979. The timing couldn’t have been worse. “Following the NASL’s two most successful seasons,the players struck,’’ recalls Boston attorney and publishing executive Steve Gans, who was a freshman in college and was asked — but declined — toplay as a […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Hardcore MLS fans have lot to lose by strike
Tom Dunsmore at Pitch Invasion looks at a group with a lot at stake in event of a last-minute MLS player strike: the sizable number of hardcore fans travelingon First Kick weekend. He knows of more than 200 Fire fans who have booked flights to New York for the first MLS game at Red Bull […]
Posted inSection 2 Around the Net, Story
Beckham to be asked to invest in Man. United buyout?
David Beckham, who made a very visible expression of support of the bid to take over Manchester United when he donned a green and gold scarf that has becomesymbolic of the effort after AC Milan’s 4-0 loss to United at Old Trafford on Wednesday night, might be asked to invest in the takeover bid. After […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Players near-unanimous on strike action
[MLS] Following three days of negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement in New York, MLS President MarkAbbott termed the talks as “productive” but L.A. Galaxy player rep Chris Klein insisted that the two sides “remain very far apart onthe major issues.” When asked if by voting overwhelmingly to strike unless a new CBA is […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Players anticipate strike, says Toronto rep Garcia
[MLS] While talks between Major League Soccer and the MLS Players Union continue in Washington, D.C. under the auspices of mediator George H. Cohen, the Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, at least one player rep says the union anticipates that the 2010 MLS season won’t start on time. Toronto FC’s Nick Garcia […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Messi shares laugh with a … [VIDEO]
[OFF THE SEASON] It’s billed as Pepsi’s World Cup commercial, though Coca-Cola, not Pepsi, is a FIFA sponsor. The commercial featuring Lionel Messi, Kaka and Didier Drogba is certainly unusual. Take a look … PepsiCommercial:
Posted inStory, Youth Soccer Reporter
Sports Authority partners with US Youth Soccer
[SPONSORSHIP] Sports Authority has been named the official sporting goods retailer of US Youth Soccer. The signature program through thepartnership is the US Youth Soccer Sports Authority Membership Card program. Over 2 million US Youth Soccer members’ households will receive the reusable discount card. Members will also beeligible for seasonal bonus discounts available only […]