As the first US sports league
© usl/transfer market
“A new chapter in American football begins.” With these words, Alec Papadakis, CEO of the US football roof organization United Soccer League (USL), introduced the press release, which should actually change American football in its basic features. Last Wednesday, the USL announced the introduction of a promotion and relegation format as the first US sports league.
What is normal for football fans outside of North America is an absolute novelty in the United States. So far there has been no danger or a descent in basketball or in American football, ice hockey, baseball or in football.
And that is exactly what the UsL changes: “The ascent and descent is changing the competitive landscape in American football,” says the President and Chief Soccer Officer of Usl, Paul McDonough. “With the upcoming World Cup 2026 and other major international events, we have the unique opportunity to build on this swing and create a sustainable future for sport in the USA. You feel attracted to the intensity of a competition with high commitment, in which more games have real consequences – just like in the European leagues.”
Changes apply from 2027/28 – foundation of a new 1st league
Since this new league system brings extensive changes, the undertaking needs a little lead time. As the league announced, the new system will be implemented from 2027/2028. In addition, the entire league structure is changed and a completely new league is introduced. The Usl Division One recently received the release from the US soccer association USS when another nominal of the highest division to start alongside the Major League Soccer. The USL Championship and the USL League One continue to act as second or third division.
As in Europe, the sporting performance of ascent and descent will decide between these three leagues. How many teams are up and down and how they are determined exactly is not yet known. Likewise, it has not yet been clarified which and how many teams start in which league. It is only clear that the new league must meet the first division requirements. It must therefore consist of twelve to 14 teams, which are distributed over the time zones Eastern, Central and Pacific. In addition, at least three quarters of the teams from metropolitan regions with at least one million inhabitants have to come. The stadiums have to offer a minimum capacity of 15,000 places.
There are also clear rules among the owners. If it is an investor group, it must have a total networks of at least $ 70 million. A single investor must have net assets of at least $ 40 million and have at least 35 percent of the club. With Birmingham Legion, Miami FC and the Oakland Roots, only three teams meet these requirements from the current UsL leagues. It is also not clear what happens if the league no longer meets these requirements due to the ascent and descents.
The franchise system and owners have so far prevented ascent and descents
Although football in league format has been played in the United States since the 1960s and, especially since the mid-1990s, has become more popular, there has been no league in which teams have been able to get up or down. This was mainly related to the franchise system. Unlike in the European leagues, American soccer teams are not organically grown sports clubs. So far, you had to “shop” in this league to be able to start in a US soccer league. The San Diego FC, the 30th and the latest team, which has been playing in the MLS since the beginning of this season, invested around $ 500 million in order to be able to start in the highest division. The start in the second-class USL championship is comparatively cheap with an “expansion fairy” of $ 5 million. In addition, there are of course the costs for the team and stadium.
The enormous investments of MLS team owners have so far prevented the introduction of ascent and relegation. A sporty descent would have resulted in enormous losses in the area of sponsorship and marketing. Many feared a break -in of the club’s value and the general interest in the team.
Can the MLS keep its supremacy?
What this new path of the United Soccer League means for US football can only be speculated. Due to the newly founded Usl Division One, there will be another league with first division status from 2027. This is in competition with the Major League Soccer, which will continue to be continued as the highest division. The first few years will show whether you will be a real competitor for the MLS in the long run.