We’re back from our travels and one thing is clear: America loves UEFA (or at least ESPN does). In a truly remarkable ad blitz, ESPN promoted its broadcast of the Champions League final across all of its airwaves. During the broadcast of the NBA playoffs, pop up ads hyping the Barca/Man U match were omni-present, ESPN.Com offered live coverage of the match and extensive pre and post analysis and Sportscenter anchors devoted substantial time to discussing the merits of Ronaldo and Messi. This was the type of coverage that MLS fans have been begging for and yet it was bestowed upon a foreign final (for the record, ESPN is replaying the game as I type this, at 9:00 Eastern on Thursday).
ESPN has long recognized the enormous market for soccer in the United States (remember the 10 million that watched the USA v. Mexico qualifier a few months back?), yet the Worldwide Leader also has seen disappointing ratings for MLS. As we have blogged on many occassions, MLS has struggled to attract the “hard core” fan that loves soccer, but not MLS. From ESPN, the disparity in coverage is shocking. Finding MLS coverage on ESPN.com is a challenge, while EPL and La Liga are front and center. The “Bottom Line” regularly scrolls European results while MLS often appears only during soccer coverage.
There definitely appears to be a “chicken or egg” issue. Does MLS need better ratings and a better product before ESPN will actively promote the League, or does ESPN need to hype MLS to generate the interest the League needs to grow?
In other news, according to the Sports Business Journal, the Red Bulls have announced prices for the 30 luxury suites in Red Bull Arena. According to reporting by Tripp Mickle, prices will range from 65k-75k per season. The boxes include food and beverage (not alcohol) and seat at least 13 people. It will be fascinating to watch sales of these boxes in this economy, especially with the Red Bulls hoping to sell multi-year leases.
Finally, in DC, Steve Goff is reporting that Real Madrid and DC United have reached an agreement for an August 9 friendly at Fed Ex Field in Maryland. The matches will not play in RFK, in part, to tap into the Redskin fan base at FedEx. This will be one of two MLS friendlies for Real this summer. 
