MLS, RBNY and the Beckham Rule

Welcome, Ronaldo, to New York. We hope you enjoy your stay.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/ricardo_setyon/11/15/ronaldo.america/index.html#top

With Ronaldo, Beckham and Figo apparently en route to the MLS I can't say I'm anything but utterly excited for the future of the sport in this country.

Yes, I know, they're aging stars (Beckham and Ronaldo are what, 31 and 30 respectively? Good lord!) but they'll bring a fanbase and attention to the sport that hasn't been seen here since Pele played for the Cosmos and the NASL went backrupt from over-spending.

MLS head brass know what they're doing since it took them ten years to allow clubs to do this.

God bless the Beckham Rule.

God bless football.

God bless America.

-Mike





Go listen to my band. We're awesome.

http://www.myspace.com/rosencrantzny
weallgotwoodandnails

Ronaldo and Beckham I would gladly welcome. Figo, you can make a case that he is more "past their prime" (which is what people seem to be saying about any potential star-to-MLS candidate) than the others. Regardless, though, its good to see the league trying to bring in big-name/game players, but at the same time limiting it in order to avoid the path of the NASL to destruction.

That's the thing I like most. I understand complaints about things not improving a ton over the first ten years of the league but it's turning out to have been so meticulously planned that it's brilliant.

Build the league slowly and when you're ready slowly allow teams to do whatever they want within boundaries while letting them know it's going to be reviewed in a few years to prevent collapse.

Brilliant.

My season tickets are looking better and better.

-Mike





Go listen to my band. We're awesome.

http://www.myspace.com/rosencrantzny
weallgotwoodandnails

Now, if only Lamar Hunt would sell my Crew to an owner who cared, and they also started winning, I'd be happy.