and on a grand scale, scarcely even effected by -- the national team's results. Also, Bruce always has emphasized that the national team's success depends on the continued growth and prosperity of MLS.
Stephen W. from Champaign, Illinois: Do you see a time when the league will move away from the draft?
DG: No, we don't have any plans to move away from the MLS SuperDraft. We believe the SuperDraft is an extremely fair way to allow teams to secure young talent.
Luis M. from Riverside, California: I read MLS has a new contract with Univision and ESPN for 2007, can you please give a little more detail on the situation and explain what we can expect from the deal please?
DG: We've been in discussions with both ABC/ESPN and Univision regarding a future television agreement. We hope to be able to announce these agreements soon. We've been with ABC/ESPN for all 11 seasons and look forward to returning to Spanish-language television with Univision. The league was on Univision during the first few seasons.
Shane S. from Honolulu, Hawaii: How realistic is the "Franchise Player" option being added to MLS in the next two years? (Franchise Player = 1 player's salary not being included in the teams cap.)
DG: The MLS Board of Governors carefully analyzed the "marquee player" option at our meeting during MLS Cup in Frisco, Texas, last November. Although we elected not to incorporate a "marquee player" option for 2006, it is a topic that we regularly discuss at board meetings. I'm sure we'll closely evaluate this option once again at our board meeting at the All-Star Game and at MLS Cup 2006.
Todd H. from Long Beach, California: Now that AEG has sold the MetroStars, what is the staudium situation in Harrison (N.J.) like now at this point? Has MLS looked at other sites, for example the railyards in Manhattan that was considered by the N.Y. Jets?
DG: Red Bull purchasing the team and 50 percent ownership in the stadium was a very positive move for the venue. AEG, which will own the other 50 percent of the stadium, will manage the facility. The current plan is to break ground in Harrison in August or early fall. Also, Red Bull's ownership provided more investment into the stadium which means you'll see even more world-class amenities on the venue. Stay tuned for more details.
Michael M. from New York, New York: How important do you think a show like SportsCenter plays in "pushing" MLS to sports fans in addition to "pulling" them in with live games?
DG: ESPN has been a great partner of ours throughout the league's history. That said, SportsCenter operates with a separate editorial staff from the individuals we deal with in programming and sales. SportsCenter is important because it reaches general sports fans, but also because it sets the tone with other editorial decision makers with other media outlets. In other words, the thought process is if it is on SportsCenter then it must be important. We are in regular contact with SportsCenter to provide them with ideas, and actually have a member on our PR staff that calls them each game night to offer recommendations on the best highlights. We're not so sure SportsCenter has a direct impact with pulling fans to games, but every little bit helps.
