Everything Else

Just keep ’em coming. Before I get to the guide, I wanted to post this article from Soccernet with two owners from MLS. While there’s nothing too revolutionary here, it is refreshing to see transparency and communication be something that is valued. A lot of MLS teams work hand in hand with their supporters’ groups, which would be something that would make owners in any other league pretty much choke. Sadly, one of those owners isn’t here in Chicago, as the Fire don’t seem to have a great relationship with their fanbase.

But the NHL should tamp down the arrogance, because with more incompetent stewardship, MLS is going to be getting awfully big in the rearview, if it isn’t already. How did it get here? By expanding into the exact right markets, building a base with the dedicated fans in those, cultivating its own atmosphere and uniqueness, along with a couple other things. Maybe not this decade, but the next one could see the NHL totally usurped. And it would be exactly what they fucking deserve.

In fact, when the NHL finally wakes up and gets around to firing Gary Bettman for killing the sport, they’d do well to not look at plucking someone from the sports they can’t be, but from the one that is gobbling up the gap from the NHL to MLS. At least you might see something resembling innovative ideas.

Anyway, to the guide.

Everything Else

Before we go through all the stuff you probably don’t want to watch anyway, I feel like I should warn you that at some point today it’s likely you’re going to get bad news about the CBA negotiations. The leaks are increasing, more reports of no progress, and it’s starting to feel like this was all part of the show instead of actual work. For a second there it felt like everyone became interested in saving a season with integrity — after all, 70-75 games really would not have been much of a loss and in fact may even be better than the slog that 82 can feel like. Now it just feels like they’ll do just enough just in time just toss out something, regardless if it is a true farce of a season or not. It’s games, it’s a schedule, and that’s all they care. Whether you do or not, I leave to you.

Anyway, how to fill the time if you are either uninterested or unable to fill the time with constructive activities.