Post by rivercity on May 28, 2008 12:57:44 GMT -5
This is the breakdown of how I see thepotential cities/leagues.
Tier 1 - MLS
Out of our reach, and only Vancouver and Montreal could support it at this point.
Tier 2 - USL 1
Since the costs are high, obviously only one team would be feasible. For geographical regions, it would have to be out east and the way I see it, either Hamilton or Halifax as the biggest markets. If this was the option chosen, we should wait until the Impact or the Whitecaps move to MLS and then purchase their USL franchise.
Tier 3 - USL 2, PDL, CSL, PCSL
USL2
Based on the number teams, the travel budget would be prohibitive for a lone Canadian franchise
PDL
A franchise would have to be either close to the Victoria/Vancouver/Abbotsford area or the Thunder Bay/Toronto/Ottawa area. Out west, Kelowna is closest although Edmonton or Calgary could be feasible. Out east, Hamilton, Kitchener or Oshawa.
CSL
Could be an option as the league has been growing, and the teams are fairly close together. Franchise fees being similar to the PDL's though may be excessive for its current semi-pro designation.
PCSL
Could be an option as the league is stable, the teams are close together and we have Vs that could provide a lot of insight on the league.
Tier 4 - NPSL, or a NPSL alternative
NPSL
The advantage is the low franchise fee. The disadvantage is that it's a regional league (much like the USL used to be for a long time). Cities that this could work in would be Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Regina, Saskatoon, Hamilton, Kitchener, Oshawa, Halifax. A single franchise though would not work since the travel would eat up all the budget. However, since the franchise is low, an entire conference (4-6 teams) could work financially. The issue would be to have enough V's involved to run it properly.
NPSL Alternative
If the NPSL was the route chosen and in so doing purchasing 4-6 franchises, my vote would be to not join it, but rather start a totally separate inter-provincial competition. The franchise fee of $10,000 rather than being sent to a distant league would be kept in Canada and used to develop it. The two obvious areas for this in my mind are Edmonton/Calgary/Regina/Saskatoon/Winnipeg or the Maritimes. If the Maritimes were chosen though, we'd be better off working with the Eastlink Premiership.
With a central Canadian group of teams, we could then link up with the CMISL for cross-promotion and support as well as the PCSL, CSL and the Eastlink for a Canadian 2nd division tourney. I know this may be a stretch for a lot of you, but I never actually believed we'd be discussing buying a franchise in the first place. My argument is that the money spent on a USL or PDL team would go a lot further if we think outside the box.
WOMEN'S SOCCER
WPS
Would be an option in Toronto as it’s the biggest market. Would upset the Lady Lynx though. And since it's a startup league, may be best to hold off a few seasons to see how it develops.
W-LEAGUE
This would be an option in any market close to the US border and ideally either in Ontario or Quebec in order to take advantage of Toronto and Ottawa having franchises.
INDOOR SOCCER
The only league in Canada right now is the CMISL and with their focus on the indoor game for the time being, there may be opportunities in BC (my guess) for a franchise.
YOUTH SOCCER
The USL has a few leagues which would be of benefit to Canadian kids. Youth soccer for me though is a lot more work than adult soccer and better for established clubs to take on this responsibility than us trying to learn as we go. Unless we partnered with established clubs.
Tier 1 - MLS
Out of our reach, and only Vancouver and Montreal could support it at this point.
Tier 2 - USL 1
Since the costs are high, obviously only one team would be feasible. For geographical regions, it would have to be out east and the way I see it, either Hamilton or Halifax as the biggest markets. If this was the option chosen, we should wait until the Impact or the Whitecaps move to MLS and then purchase their USL franchise.
Tier 3 - USL 2, PDL, CSL, PCSL
USL2
Based on the number teams, the travel budget would be prohibitive for a lone Canadian franchise
PDL
A franchise would have to be either close to the Victoria/Vancouver/Abbotsford area or the Thunder Bay/Toronto/Ottawa area. Out west, Kelowna is closest although Edmonton or Calgary could be feasible. Out east, Hamilton, Kitchener or Oshawa.
CSL
Could be an option as the league has been growing, and the teams are fairly close together. Franchise fees being similar to the PDL's though may be excessive for its current semi-pro designation.
PCSL
Could be an option as the league is stable, the teams are close together and we have Vs that could provide a lot of insight on the league.
Tier 4 - NPSL, or a NPSL alternative
NPSL
The advantage is the low franchise fee. The disadvantage is that it's a regional league (much like the USL used to be for a long time). Cities that this could work in would be Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Regina, Saskatoon, Hamilton, Kitchener, Oshawa, Halifax. A single franchise though would not work since the travel would eat up all the budget. However, since the franchise is low, an entire conference (4-6 teams) could work financially. The issue would be to have enough V's involved to run it properly.
NPSL Alternative
If the NPSL was the route chosen and in so doing purchasing 4-6 franchises, my vote would be to not join it, but rather start a totally separate inter-provincial competition. The franchise fee of $10,000 rather than being sent to a distant league would be kept in Canada and used to develop it. The two obvious areas for this in my mind are Edmonton/Calgary/Regina/Saskatoon/Winnipeg or the Maritimes. If the Maritimes were chosen though, we'd be better off working with the Eastlink Premiership.
With a central Canadian group of teams, we could then link up with the CMISL for cross-promotion and support as well as the PCSL, CSL and the Eastlink for a Canadian 2nd division tourney. I know this may be a stretch for a lot of you, but I never actually believed we'd be discussing buying a franchise in the first place. My argument is that the money spent on a USL or PDL team would go a lot further if we think outside the box.
WOMEN'S SOCCER
WPS
Would be an option in Toronto as it’s the biggest market. Would upset the Lady Lynx though. And since it's a startup league, may be best to hold off a few seasons to see how it develops.
W-LEAGUE
This would be an option in any market close to the US border and ideally either in Ontario or Quebec in order to take advantage of Toronto and Ottawa having franchises.
INDOOR SOCCER
The only league in Canada right now is the CMISL and with their focus on the indoor game for the time being, there may be opportunities in BC (my guess) for a franchise.
YOUTH SOCCER
The USL has a few leagues which would be of benefit to Canadian kids. Youth soccer for me though is a lot more work than adult soccer and better for established clubs to take on this responsibility than us trying to learn as we go. Unless we partnered with established clubs.