MLS Executives Meet With Bundesliga Officials
January 19, 2010 
13 Comments
BY SHAWN FRANCIS
Look for more to come out of Major League Soccer’s partnership with the German Bundesliga in the coming months as there were some interesting doings at MLSHQ today as Commissioner Don Garber and his executive staff met with members of the German Bundesliga. Led by Executive Board member Tom Bender (shown here with Commissioner Garber), the Bundesliga group discussed a wide variety of commercial initiatives with MLS during the meeting, including potential partnerships with MLS W.O.R.K.S., the new MLS Digital Network and possible international ventures.
The two leagues plan to discuss competition initiatives during their next meeting later this spring. Joining Bender from the Bundesligia group were Dr. Robert Neimann (CEO of DFL Sports Enterprises), Jorg Daubitzer (COO of DFL Sports Enterprises), Christian Pfennig (VP of Communications) and Markus Breglec of the Bundesliga’s marketing agency, Brand Icons.
If it involves Spaten Optimator, schnitzel and kasekreiner at the games, I’m in.
Fingers crossed a lot of good things come out of it.
So far the MLS/Bundesliga link did not have a big effect (at least publicly).
the Bundesliga is well run, with modern stadiums, cheap prices, very high attendance and a fairly balanced and competitive league.
Not to forget soccer bible “Kicker” and their highlight show every Saturday on FreeTV coupled with all games shown live on PayTv and the Sunday Lunchtime 2 hour “Doppelpass” talk with journalists, players, coaches, experts, staff, club and league officials.
Let’s hope that they can establish a successful and long-term partnership that is beneficial for both leagues.
Glad to see Brand Icons involved. Hope this leads to good things!
The United States needs to immediately get out of the United Nations, and MLS needs to stop supporting UN projects. People, do some research, pls. The UN is COMMUNIST!
A dream match for me personally would involve my two favourites, TORONTO FC Vs. BAYERN MUNCHEN! BMO FEILD! I don’t think it would be as hyped as TFC-Real Madrid, but I would love to see that.
spaz is having a spaz attack. the united nations is an international organization of which the united states is a member.
MLS and Bundesliga is a great partnership. It seems that the 2010 MLS All-Star location in Houston suggests a Mexican opponent, but watch for a German side to make a trip across the Atlantic.
I DO NOT WHAT’S THE OUTCOME ON THIS.I WISH THE BEST FOR MLS BECAUSE BUNDESLIGA IS VERY HIGHER LEVEL OF SOCCER LEAGUE THAN MLS.EVEN THE PLAYERS ARE HIGHLY SKILLED.MLS TO BECOME LEAGUE LIKE BUNDESLIGA IS PUTTING OUT THE FIGHT AGAINST OTHER SPORT LEAGUES HERE IN USA.THERE ARE SO MANY OPPOSSES AND NEGETIVE THOUGHTS ABOUT THE SPORT HERE IN USA.I DO NOT KNOW COMMISSIONER GARBER REALIZE THAT OR NOT.IF YOU DON’T BELIEVE ME YOU CAN ASK SOME OF THE ESPN ANCHORS.
From a fundemental level, the Bundesliga is a well structured league with a consistent standing as one of the top five football leagues in the world. MLS can only benefit by playing friendly matches against German opposition, discussing better buisness practices, and possibly opening up a window for young German based loanees, out of favour players, and aging stars to improve the quality of our own league.It will definateley give us a springboard for stitching some of the Bundesliga’s many positive qualities into MLS. Who knows? Maybe German coaches will start to flood into the American game at all levels to improve it.
Could any of this be in relation to this year’s MLS All Star game? Maybe we will see a German team play here?