As The League Burns

[Pounder]

http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/soccer/20041218-9999-1s18graney.html

San Diego Sockers had to postpone their Saturday home game due to failure to maintain their lease with the Sports Arena. A paycheck has already been missed, covered by the league.

Meanwhile, Monterrey's old ownership had issues overall and bailed, to be bailed out by Tigres (Mexican club), but issues with Arena Monterrey have yet to be ironed out, so they have postponed home games until further notice.

It should be the end, since the outdoor game is relatively healthy. Enough eastern teams will linger on to not kill this yet, however.

[JeffCapo]

The Baltimore Sunpaper posted an interview with Baltimore Blast owner Ed Hale. He indicated that San Diego was finished and Moterrey was in trouble.

Jeff

[SuperSonicStuart]

I predict that one day the San Diego Sockers will come back to the MISL. Plus I also predict that the MISL will get back on it's feet and become successful and popular. Like back in the early 1990's or so, the MILL (now known as the NLL) had trouble keeping some teams up so this league is having the same problem. Also I think it's Raj Kalra's fault for destroying the San Diego Sockers especially since he didn't pay the players, sponsors or staff. Raj Kalra should burn in hell :evil: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Pounder]

Stuart, you seem to be young, and most of us here have gone through that.

If Raj Kalra doesn't buy the Sockers, what happens to them?

They'd have folded before the season started. The fans had already bailed, frankly. The travel budget didn't help, certainly.

Never mind that Kalra probably thought he had a modicum of a cash cow for his petty penny stock dealings, and intended absolutely no TLC for them whatsoever. If he doesn't commit, all that happens is the Sockers die sooner.

In a way, the league cacked one when they let Kalra skate without paying the bond for league membership. That's a major no-no. However, it's obvious to me how desperate the MISL is, because there AREN'T ANY OWNERS LINING UP. If owners don't want to buy, there's nothing to sell... and I guarantee you that it's NOT because MISL brass aren't calling everyone with at least $1 million in assets at least monthly... they are.

More importantly, while there's a sliver of a possibility that what you wish for the MISL will come true, I'll offer you an opinion on why it won't. Back when the MISL started, most of the arenas were completely publically MANAGED as well as funded, and they saw revenue coming more from numbers of fans. While most of the new arenas are still publically funded, they are PRIVATELY managed, and those managers want as much "value-added" (more $$ from richer people vice trying to please the masses) time in their buildings as possible. The rent has gone up. In turn, for the MISL to prosper, of all things, they need to take a page from MLS thinking. Find ways to gain control your arenas, and the money will come (MLS isn't there yet, but they're down the road a bit). Since this is out of the realm for MIS errrrr NPSL owners operating under the name MISL (an important distinction for understanding of continuity), it's a bad bet.

BTW, I am told that Dallas is gone because their income was limited by giving away too many tickets. People never wanted to pay to get in when they knew they could find a way in without paying. Is that really a good fan base?

[SuperSonicStuart]

Stuart, you seem to be young, and most of us here have gone through that.

Actually I'm 16 years old but I'm still trying to learn the system of owners buying pro sports teams and such. But still I think the MISL teams need owners that are also owners of NHL, Arena Football, NLL and or NBA teams. But I think it's going to take a while for the MISL. Like I thought the idea of the league to show the 2005 MISL Championship on EPSN2 was a start but still they need more improvement.

Another thing I was looking at the attendance overall and average for the MISL seasons and here they are:

2001-2002 Season Overall Attendance: 668,577--Average: 5,065
2002-2003 Season Overall Attendance: 780,490--Average: 5,420
2003-2004 Season Overall Attendance: 905,141--Average: 5,587
2004-2005 Season Overall Attendance: 628,948--Average: 4,338

I think the attendance for the upcoming 2005-2006 season might increase with the California Cougars entering the league and probably 2006-2007 when Detroit enters the league.
But I hope someday the San Diego Sockers and Dallas Sidekicks come back and they have better chances at coming back than the Monterrey Fury.