Yesterday’s report about D.C. United seeking new “investment partners” did not set off alarm bells among Major League Soccer fans in the nation’s capital. It probably should have.

The immediate catalyst for this editorial was a post last month by A More Splendid Life, but really this topic has captivated us for some time.
As anybody in or near the media industry knows, there simply does not appear to be any way of making money as a provider of original (print) content. The Web [...]

Fox Soccer Channel today put out a press release on the growth of its ratings numbers over the past year, its first as a Nielsen-rated channel.
Among reports of increases in Serie A and English Premiership viewers, the statement also points out that “Major League Soccer audiences are up 89%, averaging 51,000 viewers last month vs. [...]

Football Partnerships, which bills itself as “the leading business-to-business networking group for football industry professionals” is launching regional hubs to better serve its upcoming functions. (p.s. by “football” they do in fact mean soccer).

Former professional soccer player Jared Montz has rolled out what is believed to be the first of its kind online soccer academy. “The idea came to me this summer,” said Montz, a former defender who most recently played for the United Soccer Leagues’ Puerto Rico Islanders. “I have been working just about 24 hours a [...]

Keystone Sports and Entertainment, LLC, the MLS Philadelphia 2010 ownership group, named Panasonic as the “Official Technology Partner” of its new stadium and waterfront complex, according to the Sports Business Journal.
When the new MLS stadium and waterfront complex opens in 2010 just south of Philadelphia, it will be “Powered by Panasonic” with Panasonic as exclusive [...]

Soccer United Marketing and ESPN have sold international broadcast rights for all Major League Soccer games to MP & Silva in an eight-figure agreement that extends through 2013, according to Street & Smith’s Sports Business Journal.

Women’s Professional Soccer will today announce a $10 million sponsorship deal with German shoe manufacturer and clothing retailer Puma.

The New York Red Bulls have signed a deal for Delaware North Counties Sportservice to handle concessions and premium dining services at Red Bull Arena, according to EUfootball.biz. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The company claims to be “the oldest name in sports hospitality,” will primarily cater the 30 suited and 1,116 club [...]

The Seattle Sounders FC fan club will reportedly receive actual powers over key team decisions, according to techflash.com. The Web site, which covers the technology industry in the Pacific Northwest reports that the fan group will be able to vote on whether to retain the general manager, among other items.

Read on.