A soccer financial expert says that business people in Brazil are becoming very concerned about the financial growth and rising popularity of Major League Soccer, and fear that it will soon overtake the Brazilian top-flight league, the Campeonato Brasileiro.
In a recent exclusive interview with World Soccer Talk Radio, soccer journalist and broadcaster Tim Vickery (who lives and works in Brazil) shared his insight regarding issues that are plaguing Brazilian club soccer, as well as how MLS is causing some independent experts in South America to marvel at the growth of Major League Soccer.
“The business-minded people here in Brazil are beginning to become very concerned about the rise of Major League Soccer.
“Amir Somoggi, who’s perhaps the leading specialist in [soccer] finance, published an article earlier [last] week saying that it’s not going to take very long before our Brazilian clubs are overtaken in financial terms by MLS, and have been overtaken in terms of international importance.
“These are real warning signs.”
Vickery pinpointed the 1-7 defeat for Brazil against Germany in the 2014 FIFA World Cup semi-final as an example of issues at the national level, but also discussed how disappointing results by Brazilian clubs in the Copa Libertadores as well as poor scheduling and low attendances are impacting the club game.
“MLS has only been on the radar screen [in Brazil] comparatively recently.
“I used to annoy people, a few years ago now, by pointing out that average crowds in MLS were higher than average crowds in the Brazilian first division.
“In the last few years, they’ve seen the rise of MLS. Unfortunately the people who are concerned about this are not the people in positions of power. They are independent pundits.
“That comes across in Somoggi’s article, which says that because of America’s efficiency and Brazilian’s incompetence, they will soon overtake us. So this is yet another warning shot that Brazilian football is falling badly behind.”
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R.O
March 26, 2016 at 12:33 am
The Brazilian League, player quality and play is not what it once was. I’ve watched the Brazilian league for many years and the game play and style have declined. Coming to MLS is all about money/earning for the players.
MLS in play and style is not that much better then the Brazilian League.
Joe
March 16, 2016 at 8:43 am
Things are changing I see it before my eyes. The reason I know is because I was once like that ignorant non believer and hater of soccer. I played American football since I was 6 and now I’m 43 and soccer is my favorite sport now. If you give it a chance you will see the buetiful game. I also manage my 10 year olds club team and they are all top athletes that eat sleep and love soccer. I’ve gotten nasty emails from the local football and baseball team saying that I am ruining their game because all the athletes play soccer now. I tell you it’s all about the kids and that’s why mls and soccer is blowing up in the USA. We no longer have the nerds or dweebs playing soccer but the athletes.
jocraggy
March 11, 2016 at 8:59 am
lol they shouldn’t be worried. no one ever has, does, or ever will give a crap about MLS or soccer here in the states. in brazil, soccer is religion. in the u.s., soccer is for un-American white hipster douchebags, has no relevance, and never will. it’s the most boring sport ever conceived of!
Kemosammy
March 11, 2016 at 11:16 am
Sure, troll. That is why over 60,000 fans showed up at the Orlando City home opener (5th largest crowd in the world last weekend) and the Sounders average over 40k a game for the season. Obviously no one cares.
Solhorizonte
March 11, 2016 at 11:26 am
I feel for you man, your status quo is crumbling right before your eyes, if what you are saying was true, you would not even waste your time here, but here you are, scared of the future… I’m sorry man, but I would be lying if I didn’t say I enjoy your pain.
KapUSMC
March 15, 2016 at 4:35 pm
This same comment, on this same website 3 years ago would have been 13 thumbs up to 2 down, instead of the other way around.
Gary
April 3, 2016 at 10:20 pm
you obviously haven’t seen the rise of MLS in the last 10 years and football in general. It is due in large part to the recent World Cup coverage of 2006, 2010, 2014 and not to mention the record breaking NBC deal to televise the Premier League and more recently Fox’s coverage of the German Bundesliga. So before you spout stupid anti-soccer sh!t you should re-educate yourself on the facts. No one cares about how un-American or American one is by enjoying the world’s game, that is the dumbest thing I’ve heard in a long time.
john
October 28, 2016 at 3:11 pm
This person is a Jack Ass
NaBUru38
March 10, 2016 at 5:52 pm
MLS? We all should worry about China and Arabia.
CTBlues
March 11, 2016 at 12:43 pm
Don’t have to worry about China until they start developing their own talent.