Griffin Jende
Mrs. Straub
AP Econ
November 17th, 2015
MLS Continues to Expand
Soccer is a growing tradition in the United States. Back in 1990 there were no professional soccer teams and leagues in the United States. Flash forward to today, Major league soccer now has 20 teams with 4 more teams already accepted to join the MLS in the next two years and a demand for more. With the growth of the an avid soccer fan base in america cities are hungry to join the increasing popularity of the MLS with a new team.
The expansion goals of the MLS have always been ambitious as they added 8 teams over the past 10 expanding the size of the league from 12 teams to 20. Now due to the increased tv coverage, growing popularity of the sport, and the recognition Major League Soccer now receives as a brand nationally new teams are looking to join left and right with ticket sales skyrocketing. New teams have been announced in Atlanta, LA, Miami, and Minnesota, and will join other teams on the pitch over the next two years, satisfying the league’s goal of 24 teams by 2020 with two years to spare. The league’s sights seem set on continuing its rapid expansion as MLS commissioner Don Garber was quoted in March saying, “We will expand this league beyond 24 teams, it’s not an if it’s a when”
This bold statement seems as if it will soon become a reality as, there has been no lack of resources with an increase in wealthy investors interested in starting new franchises as well as a growing level of quality of the play on the pitch despite the league’s rapid expansion. Pair these factors with a growing fan base and target market in North America that has already reached 80 million as of 2015, and the MLS seems set to meet the rising demand for soccer with a steady supply of new MLS teams. 
With franchises fees currently set at $100,000,000 for a new team and rumors of the fee doubling in the next few years, the MLS looks set to profit off the growing popularity of soccer in North America as teams continue to join and its brand continues to grow.
Works Cited
"Examining the Candidates for the Next Round of MLS Expansion." ESPN. ESPN, 27 Oct. 2015. Web. 17 Nov. 2015. <http://www.espnfc.us/major-league-soccer/19/blog/post/2438275/examining-the-candidates-for-the-next-round-of-mls-expansion>.
"How Big Is Too Big for Major League Soccer?" Fusion. Fusion, 12 Sept. 2015. Web. 17 Nov. 2015. <http://fusion.net/story/139588/major-league-soccer-expansion/>.
I found it very interesting that there are 20 MLS teams already in the Nation. It makes sense that since there is more tv coverage of the games that they are becoming more popular. I also think that there could be an increase in sales and viewers with more awareness, because I never new there were so many MLS teams. Also I agree that soccer is become a more popular sport to watch which might also help more teams to join the league. Even though there is a $100,000,000 fee to enter in the long run that will only be a small price to pay. It will be interesting to see where the MLS will be in the future.
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