Unfiltered Soccer Episode Summary: "Promotion and Relegation with Adam Crafton"

Release Date: February 4, 2025

In this engaging episode of Unfiltered Soccer, hosts Landon Donovan and Tim Howard delve deep into the intricate world of promotion and relegation in soccer, featuring insights from Adam Crafton, a seasoned writer for The Athletic. The conversation navigates the global prevalence of promotion and relegation, its benefits and drawbacks, and the potential for its adoption within the American soccer landscape.

1. Introduction

The episode kicks off with Landon and Tim expressing excitement about discussing a hot topic in soccer. They introduce Adam Crafton as their knowledgeable guest, setting the stage for a comprehensive exploration of promotion and relegation.

2. Understanding Promotion and Relegation

Adam Crafton provides a foundational understanding of promotion and relegation systems used predominantly in Europe, particularly highlighting the English Premier League. He explains the pyramid structure where teams can ascend to higher divisions or descend based on their seasonal performance.

Adam Crafton [04:00]: "The advantage of it is this concept of being able to dream, of being able to take a place in the top flight, but also this idea of sporting jeopardy so that bad performances have consequences and good performances are rewarded."

3. Benefits of Promotion and Relegation

The discussion highlights several key advantages:

• Competitive Integrity: Every game holds significance, maintaining viewer interest throughout the season.
• Financial Incentives: Promotion brings substantial television revenue and prize money, incentivizing clubs to perform.
• Opportunities for Smaller Clubs: Teams from lower tiers have the chance to rise to elite levels, fostering ambition and growth.

Tim Howard [06:49]: "There's always the opportunity. I like that you said dream like you can dream. And Americans love to dream."

4. Drawbacks of Promotion and Relegation

Despite its benefits, the system presents significant challenges:

• Yo-Yo Teams: Clubs like Burnley, Norwich, and Leeds frequently oscillate between divisions, leading to financial instability.

  Landon Donovan [09:30]: "They spend really quickly and then they just, yo-yo. They're not good enough for the Premier League. They're too good for the championship, and they get stuck in this kind of middle ground."

• Financial Strain: Relegation can lead to drastic budget cuts, affecting player retention and club operations.

• Infrastructure Costs: Promoted clubs must upgrade stadiums and facilities to meet higher league standards, often incurring significant expenses.

  Landon Donovan [14:09]: "They have to spend on players... have to spend on their stadium becoming up to a certain Premier League standard and code."

5. Financial Implications

The conversation underscores the financial volatility associated with promotion and relegation:

• Television Revenue: Promoted teams receive lucrative TV deals, whereas relegated teams face reduced income despite parachute payments designed to cushion financial blows.

  Adam Crafton [09:30]: "When you're in the Premier League, there's a guaranteed revenue that you get through the television money."

• Parachute Payments: These payments aim to stabilize relegated clubs but can lead to overspending as teams strive to bounce back quickly.

  Adam Crafton [11:56]: "Some clubs will spend that parachute money very, very quickly to try and come straight back up."

6. Comparison with the American Soccer System

Landon and Tim explore why promotion and relegation are challenging to implement in the US:

• Closed League Structure: Unlike Europe, American soccer leagues like MLS and USL operate independently without a fluid tier system.

• Cultural Preferences: The American sports culture favors fixed franchises and playoffs, reducing the appeal of a relegation-based system.

  Adam Crafton [29:29]: "We don't have a tier system... they would clearly state, we are not a second division. We are a thriving first division league within America."

• Financial Risks: The potential for significant investment losses deters MLS owners from embracing promotion and relegation.

  Landon Donovan [08:18]: "Even if you spend the money unwisely, you free fall, but it at least gives you this financial cushion."

7. Perspectives of American Owners

Adam discusses the hesitancy among American soccer owners to adopt promotion and relegation:

• Investment Protection: Owners prefer protecting their substantial investments within a stable league structure.

• League Expansion: MLS continues to expand, currently aiming for 30 teams, which complicates the integration of a relegation system.

  Adam Crafton [18:28]: "Because the Premier League basically is the Super League... I don't think it's a realistic conversation."

8. Potential Pathways for the US

The hosts brainstorm potential ways promotion and relegation could be adapted for American soccer:

• USL Championship Adoption: Adam suggests that the USL Championship could pioneer promotion and relegation within its existing tiered system, potentially serving as a model.

  Landon Donovan [29:29]: "The starting point for me would be for USL to adopt promotion, relegation because they do have a tiered system."

• Creative Solutions: Discussions include blending playoff systems with promotion and relegation or adjusting financial structures to mitigate risks.

  Tim Howard [37:16]: "Could you make a playoff system work alongside promotion and relegation?"

9. Audience Questions and Mailbag

Listeners submitted questions further exploring the complexities of promotion and relegation:

• Ideal American Soccer Landscape in 50 Years: Landon envisions a pyramid system, integrating grassroots to elite levels, though acknowledges significant structural changes would be needed.

  Landon Donovan [58:59]: "I think the starting point for promotion, relegation in America is the USL adopting it first."

• Yo-Yo Teams Value: Discussion about whether the presence of yo-yo teams adds value or undermines league stability. Landon believes there is potential for sustainable positive impacts but recognizes inherent risks.

  Landon Donovan [62:02]: "There's a formula to that. I don't think it's a sustainable formula."

• Financial Penalties and Revenue Splitting: Exploring if removing financial penalties for relegation and equalizing revenue could make promotion and relegation more feasible in MLS. Both hosts express skepticism about maintaining sufficient incentives.

  Tim Howard [64:56]: "What's the incentive if there's no financial reward?"

10. Future Outlook and Closing Remarks

The episode concludes with a reflection on the future of promotion and relegation in both global and American contexts:

• Don Garber's Stance: MLS CEO remains open to evolving league structures while maintaining a cautious stance on immediate changes.

  Don Garber [55:35]: "I shouldn't walk away from having the courage to evolve over time."

• Creative Innovations: Adam highlights potential innovations in broadcasting and league operations that could bridge the gap between European systems and American preferences.

  Adam Crafton [52:22]: "You have to get creative with how you bring the viewer closer to the action."

• Final Thoughts: Landon and Tim emphasize the need for continued dialogue and exploration of new models to enhance competitive integrity and fan engagement in American soccer.

  Landon Donovan [67:08]: "Adam Crafton of the Athletic, you are absolutely, absolutely brilliant today."

Notable Quotes

• Landon Donovan [00:00]: "These teams are willing to spend really quickly, and then they just, yo-yo. Not good enough for the Premier League. They're too good for the championship, and they get stuck in this kind of middle ground."

• Adam Crafton [04:00]: "The advantage of it is this concept of being able to dream, of being able to take a place in the top flight, but also this idea of sporting jeopardy so that bad performances have consequences and good performances are rewarded."

• Tim Howard [24:57]: "So if I was... as a fan, I love it. Every single game matters. Every single game matters."

• Don Garber [55:35]: "We shouldn't walk away from having the courage to evolve over time."

• Nashville SC CEO Ian Ayre [55:35]: "MLS owners voting for promotion and relegation would be like turkeys voting for things. Thanksgiving."

Conclusion

This episode of Unfiltered Soccer offers a thorough examination of promotion and relegation, balancing global practices with the unique challenges within American soccer. Through insightful dialogue with Adam Crafton, listeners gain a nuanced understanding of how such systems impact financial stability, competitive balance, and fan engagement. While the adoption of promotion and relegation in the US appears fraught with obstacles, the discussion underscores the importance of innovation and adaptation in the ever-evolving landscape of soccer.