The issue of promotion and relegation (or ‘pro-rel’ as it is called there) from MLS is back on the agenda in the United States, in part driven by activist fans on social media. A poll has shown that 88 per cent of fans favour it, but the owners of the MLS are adamantly opposed.
It is argued that it is not part of American sporting culture in a franchise based system. There is no promotion or relegation in the other major sports.
The issue of promotion and relegation (or ‘pro-rel’ as it is called there) from MLS is back on the agenda in the United States, in part driven by activist fans on social media. A poll has shown that 88 per cent of fans favour it, but the owners of the MLS are adamantly opposed.
It is argued that it is not part of American sporting culture in a franchise based system. There is no promotion or relegation in the other major sports.
However, the real reason is probably financial. The MLS continues to expand, but each new franchise costs its promoters $100m, plus the cost of a new stadium.