VANCOUVER, B.C. - Earlier this week Liga MX President Enrique Bonilla spoke about the long distance possibility that Major League Soccer and Liga MX could join forces in a partnership as one joint, combined league following the United 2026, FIFA World Cup hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the United States.
"It's a possibility, a North American league," Bonilla told the press at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge stadium. "We have to determine how and see the pros and cons but I think that's a way to grow and to compete again."
"If we can make a World Cup then we can make a North American league or a North American Cup. We have to grow together to compete. If not, there is only going to be the rich guys in Europe and the rest of the world."
"We think this opportunity with the World Cup in 2026 opens the door for us to make a lot of things different and better."
Thank goodness 2026 is still a long ways away, because the logistics, planning, and re-shuffling MLS and Liga MX would have to do would send shock waves through both leagues.
Currently MLS has 23 teams, and Liga MX has 18 first division teams. The MLS season starts in early March and finishes before the end of October. Liga MX features two tournaments. The first starting in late July until December. The second follows in January until May. While both leagues have playoffs, only Liga MX has relegation.
MLS has very confusing player salary and movement rules, including Targeted Allocation Money (TAM), General Allocation Money (GAM), Designated Player Rule (DP), and Homegrown Player status just to name a few. Liga MX has no salary cap.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC leading scorer Kei Kamara weighed in on scuttlebutt.
"I actually saw that online," Kamara told RedNation Online following training on Thursday. "If that happens, I think it's a great pay grade for a lot of players in MLS, because they get to compare to the other guys in Mexico, but that's never happening."
Why?
"That's just never happening. It's great having the World Cup combine Canada, U.S., and Mexico together, but for us to have one league. I mean, where's the competition to that? There's really nothing, there's no rivalry anymore, but yeah it's never happening. It's just somebody bored, probably just wanted to write something."
While its way off in the distance and pipe dream at best. It is intriguing to wonder what a possible joint MLS and Liga MX league would look like. How many teams? Would promotion and relegation be a part of it? What about playoffs and the MLS Cup?
Mexican international, and Whitecaps FC midfielder Efrain Juarez has spent time playing in both leagues. He knows first hand what MLS and Liga MX have to offer.
"I don't know, I think it could be great," Juarez wondered. "The two leagues are growing all the time. MLS is growing in this moment. Liga MX is of course one of the best leagues in all the continent of North America, really good. I'm not so familiar with that thing, but if it's possible, it could be a really going thing."
"The atmosphere in Mexico with the fans and that kind of passion. (If) you bring it to the U.S. and MLS, it could be real real good. The infrastructure that they have in MLS already, is a really good idea. I'm not really familiar, but it could be a good option."
How would it feel for MLS teams when a powerhouse Liga MX sides like Club América, Cruz Azul, Pumas, or Tigres visits MLS stadiums and the crowd is cheering overwhelmingly for the team from Mexico and the U.S. or Canadian based club?
One of the biggest hurdles with out a doubt is travel. MLS teams specifically on the west coast are already fed up with the amount of travel they do each season. Whitecaps FC rack up the most distance traveled this season. How about adding a Vancouver trip to Pachuca, Veracruz, and Puebla City each season. It just doesn't make any sense.
"The problem is the distance," Juarez agreed. "Yeah, that's the only issue I can see because the trips will be so long. Normally in Mexico, the longest trip is two or three hours flying. If you make a league like that, everybody involved, Canada, U.S. and Mexico, it will be a long trip. They need to plan it good. When is the moment, which teams. Is it going to be everyone or just five teams. MLS has a lot of teams, and Mexico as well."
Sports often comes down to money, follow the dinero. If it makes financial sense then it would be a massive boon for MLS and Liga MX. Television ratings could potentially be through the roof. At least for the first few seasons, football fans would fill stadiums. You also have to think about the increase in merchandising sales of kits, boots, and scarves.
MLS and Liga MX are both two very different distinct leagues thriving on their own. It would be foolish to think that joining forces would be the next step. You never hear of the Premier League, La Liga, Ligue 1, Bundesliga, or Serie A wanting to join up together.
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