Special Report FL #15 - Local Identities - Clubs Perspectives
The closed league system has defined sports in the United States for centuries. Instead of bringing in new teams each year through relegation and promotion, these leagues are made up of the same clubs that compete year after year, regardless of how terrible or great each club performs. Although there are many benefits to a closed system, such as financial stability as well as maintaining more of a competitive balance among clubs, the closed system does have an impact on fans and how they identify with clubs, the league and the sport as a whole.
A Closer Look at the Closed Model System
Without promotion and relegation, the only way a new club can join a league in the U.S. is if the league agrees to expand and admit a new club. Under Major League Soccer’s (MLS) Constitution, such decisions are made by the league’s Board of Governors, which is the league’s primary decision-making body. At the meeting of the Board of Governors, the new club will only be included in the league if it receives a vote of two-thirds or more of the “ownership percentages” held by all other clubs eligible to vote.[1]
As one can imagine, a lot of research and vetting goes into approving a club to join...
Why not join us?
Football Legal is an independent media publishing football law contents on a daily basis dedicated to all football law practitioners (lawyers, clubs, federations, intermediaries, football stakeholders, etc.).
Register today and stay tuned to the latest legal news.
Get started