MISL’s Commissioner Sees a Steady Growth
In his 6 1/2 years as commissioner of the Major Indoor Soccer League, Earl Foreman has weathered the league’s financial troubles, poor attendances and fan apathy. In a question and answer session, the 59-year-old co-founder of the MISL discusses current conditions and expresses hope for the league’s future. Question: Commissioner, please give an overview of the MISL’s overall condition.
Answer: Generally speaking, the 1984-85 season has been a very successful one. Attendance is up 10 percent from last year, and I think that’s due to the close races in both our East and West divisions.
We’re in a consumer-oriented business. As such, I think our owners and fans have to realize that our goal is to show a measured growth--nothing spectacular, just steady. In our first season (1978-79), attendance was about 325,000 for six teams. This year, with 14 teams, we’re looking at 3 1/2 million.
Q: Which franchises are the healthiest in terms of attendance?
A: Baltimore, Cleveland, Wichita, Kansas City and St. Louis average between 90-100 percent of arena capacity. The flip side of the coin is a team like Dallas, but they’re an expansion team this year and you can’t be impatient. Dallas just had 7,000-7,500 for a recent game and that’s encouraging.
Q: How can you sell the MISL to a prospective owner-investor, considering that many franchises have been dissolved or transferred?
A: It’s important to realize that start-up costs for any pro franchise are enormous. Nobody can expect to get his or her money back in one, two or three years. It costs $50-60,000 just to handle ticket operations.
The five teams I previously mentioned will break even or maybe show a profit this year. It is important to keep expenses down.
Q: Why do you expect indoor soccer to succeed where outdoor soccer did not?
A: I don’t think American fans really liked the slow pace of outdoor soccer. They wanted a faster, more exciting pace with more scoring. I think any new league has to do something different in order to appeal to the mainstream sports fan.
Q: The “measured growth” you spoke of--can that be interpreted that expansion may not be likely in the MISL’s near future?
A: I’d say that’s right. You ultimately reach a point where expansion is a detriment. The more teams you have, the more reaching parity of playing ability is a problem.
We won’t add teams just for expansion’s sake. We want people who know how to run teams on and off the field. We have 14 teams now, and I’m a realist--not all those teams might survive.
Q: Please comment on Chicago Sting owner Lee Stern’s recent criticism of MISL officials.
A: Comments like that stem out of frustration and anger. Criticizing referees is commonplace in pro sports. I don’t appreciate it, especially considering how difficult indoor soccer is to officiate. Our refs have a lot to watch out there.
We are, like all the other pro teams are, trying to continually improve the level of officiating. All we can do is review our people periodically.
Q: Please comment on Sunday’s All-Star game at the Richfield Coliseum.
A: I’m biased--I think it will be a great game. The best available talent in the game will be there--the Steve Zunguls, the Kai Haaskivis, the Julie Vees. Before, the NASL (North American Soccer League) and the MISL had to compete for talent. Now, it’s all ours.
I expect the Richfield Coliseum to be packed. Those fans will see the best we have to offer.
Q: Do you enjoy your job?
A: I love most every minute of it--but I admit I hate it at times. I think that’s healthy, though. I helped create this along with Ed Tepper, and I take pride in that. I just want it to be better.
