MLS Ready to Compete With NFL

Well, maybe “ready” isn’t the right word, but that won’t to stop them from trying. This year’s MLS championship game will be broadcast on cable for the first time ever, with ESPN airing the match Nov. 22, at 8:30. Also on TV at the same time: Sunday Night Football.

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Executives from both the league and the network decided to move the match to ESPN so that it could start later at its West Coast site, Seattle’s Qwest Field. They believe a later start will enhance the in-stadium atmosphere, which should make it more appealing on television.

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Ah, so the MLS is (finally) subscribing to the college football formula for compelling TV: when in doubt, make it a night game and hope all the fans are loaded by kickoff.