Would an Everton FC-owned franchise in the U.S. work?

[BoysInBlue]

Man City own and run New York City.
Celtic are said to be exploring the idea of starting a U.S. franchise: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34632349

This could be a way of Everton expanding their global presence in a growing market, and stealing a march on the likes of LFC, Arsenal, Man Utd and Chelsea by having a satellite club in the U.S.

With Tim Howard a national U.S. sporting hero, former player & U.S. football legend Landon Donovan starting a coaching career, plus the likes of Adrian Heath doing okay as the manager of Orlando City, there are links that could be exploited.

It could be used as a farming system; we could send the likes of Gareth Barry and Tim Howard out there as senior figures, along with some decent youngsters that need game time in a new environment.

Likewise, any decent U.S. players could be brought to England.

The club also have a growing fanbase in the U.S., comprising exiled Brits and converted U.S. fans.

It would require investment, ambition, outside-the-box thinking and foresight, plus lots of planning, so is probably a non-starter under the current board, but with right backing it could be a decent idea I think.

 

[Shibbywiggles]

I think you'll find sending Howard back Stateside will be a popular opinion whatever the circumstance!

It's an interesting idea and if we were to get owners with that kind of money one that would be very interesting. If those Kansas lads who were sniffing around interested wanted to link up with us in that capacity it would be a welcome venture I'm sure. I've watched a bit of MLS this season and it's not a bad standard so if it meant us having first dibs on promising young stars it could be very good for us as well as the extra fan potential.

 

[mlyons]

Anyone who thinks Tim Howard is a national US sporting hero has never been to America.

 

[Goat]

Yeah hopefully we get first refusal on the next Jozy Altidore.

Its a crap league, if Howard moved there tomorrow he would be the best player in the league.

May as well get a few League Two teams its probably the same standard.

 

[BoysInBlue]

Yeah hopefully we get first refusal on the next Jozy Altidore.

Its a crap league, if Howard moved there tomorrow he would be the best player in the league.

May as well get a few League Two teams its probably the same standard.

It's better than it used to be. It's about the level of the Championship/League 1.

It's why you'd send youngsters there for experience. There's money to be made though, regardless of the standard.

 

[BirkenheadBlue]

Yeah hopefully we get first refusal on the next Jozy Altidore.

Its a crap league, if Howard moved there tomorrow he would be the best player in the league.

May as well get a few League Two teams its probably the same standard.

Not gonna lie, sounds like you've never watched an MLS game. Certainly not in the last few years.

Also, Howard would NOT be the best player in the league. Possibly the best gk, but not even that by as far as you'd think.

 

[BoysInBlue]

Anyone who thinks Tim Howard is a national US sporting hero has never been to America.

Beg to differ. Didn't Obama ring him up? He was on a load of U.S. chat shows after the World Cup. He's one of the more well known U.S. players.

 

[Brennan]

Yeah hopefully we get first refusal on the next Jozy Altidore.

Its a crap league, if Howard moved there tomorrow he would be the best player in the league.

May as well get a few League Two teams its probably the same standard.

Better than Pirlo, Lampard, and Gerrard.

Shut up you fat wolly.

 

[Goat]

Not gonna lie, sounds like you've never watched an MLS game. Certainly not in the last few years.

Also, Howard would NOT be the best player in the league. Possibly the best gk, but not even that by as far as you'd think.

Even Kaka looks wurld klass der.

 

[Brennan]

Beg to differ. Didn't Obama ring him up? He was on a load of U.S. chat shows after the World Cup. He's one of the more well known U.S. players.

Obama rang up the young kid who got arrested in school for making a clock. He's not a US national hero either.

 

[BoysInBlue]

Obama rang up the young kid who got arrested in school for making a clock. He's not a US national hero either.

Not a comparison that really makes your point though, I'm afraid.

 

[Dithering Dougie]

We can barely afford a club in Liverpool how are they going to start another one on a different continent?

 

[mlyons]

Beg to differ. Didn't Obama ring him up? He was on a load of U.S. chat shows after the World Cup. He's one of the more well known U.S. players.

He had 15 minutes of fame. 90% of Americans wouldn't be able to pick him out of a lineup. The 10% who actually pay relatively close attention to the sport certainly aren't going to idolize Howard, either, any more than the average Englishman idolizes Glen Johnson.

 

[SpurtingLesbian]

We don't have enough money to run one team let alone a second.

 

[BoysInBlue]

We can barely afford a club in Liverpool how are they going to start another one on a different continent?

Of course you're right, but the never-ending circle of running a football club in a crap manner will never end if there's never any viable ideas to grow the club and thus increase the club's cash flow.

People always moan about the club being run badly and having no money and no international presence - well here's an idea that could help things and that other clubs are utilising.