Shawn Francis
@theoffsiderules.bsky.social
Twitter refugee. Soccer, music, pop culture + travel. Creative agency guy. Ideas for sale.
MLS, Apple rework terms of media rights deal for earlier ending, in 2029 www.nytimes.com/athletic/680... [via @nytimes.com]
MLS, Apple rework terms of media rights deal for earlier ending, in 2029
www.nytimes.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:43 AM
MLS, Apple rework terms of media rights deal for earlier ending, in 2029 www.nytimes.com/athletic/680... [via @nytimes.com]
Can Soccer Stadiums Revitalize American Cities? www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/r... [via @nytimes.com]
Can Soccer Stadiums Revitalize American Cities?
www.nytimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Can Soccer Stadiums Revitalize American Cities? www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/r... [via @nytimes.com]
Apple TV Abandons Extra Paywall for Major League Soccer Games www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/dig...
Apple TV Abandons Extra Paywall for Major League Soccer Games
The standalone subscription offering, MLS Season Pass, is shuttering, with all games becoming available to all Apple TV users.
www.hollywoodreporter.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Apple TV Abandons Extra Paywall for Major League Soccer Games www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/dig...
Reposted by Shawn Francis
There's something really funny about a graphic that just reads "GREW UP PRIVILEGED"
November 12, 2025 at 11:47 PM
There's something really funny about a graphic that just reads "GREW UP PRIVILEGED"
MLS owners expected to vote on fall-spring calendar and season format changes: Sources www.nytimes.com/athletic/680... [via @theathletic.com]
MLS owners expected to vote on fall-spring calendar and season format changes: Sources
Substantial change could be coming to MLS's structure and operations following a Thursday vote, sources tell The Athletic
www.nytimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 8:53 PM
MLS owners expected to vote on fall-spring calendar and season format changes: Sources www.nytimes.com/athletic/680... [via @theathletic.com]
Reposted by Shawn Francis
🇺🇸 BREAKING: Club legend Walker Zimmerman will depart Nashville SC this winter when his contract expires, per sources.
Zimmerman is a two-time MLS Defender of the Year winner. Joined ahead of inaugural season. Lifted U.S. Open Cup this year.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
Zimmerman is a two-time MLS Defender of the Year winner. Joined ahead of inaugural season. Lifted U.S. Open Cup this year.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
Sources: USMNT's Zimmerman to leave Nashville SC, become free agent
www.nytimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 5:10 PM
🇺🇸 BREAKING: Club legend Walker Zimmerman will depart Nashville SC this winter when his contract expires, per sources.
Zimmerman is a two-time MLS Defender of the Year winner. Joined ahead of inaugural season. Lifted U.S. Open Cup this year.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
Zimmerman is a two-time MLS Defender of the Year winner. Joined ahead of inaugural season. Lifted U.S. Open Cup this year.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
America is now the biggest market for international football www.economist.com/the-world-ah... [via @economist.com]
America is now the biggest market for international football
As well as co-hosting the World Cup in 2026, more and more people in America are watching soccer, and spending on football media rights is rising
www.economist.com
November 12, 2025 at 4:23 PM
America is now the biggest market for international football www.economist.com/the-world-ah... [via @economist.com]
The USL: US soccer league bringing promotion-relegation stateside to capitalise on World Cup fever www.skysports.com/football/new... [via @skysportspl.bsky.social]
The USL: US soccer league bringing promotion-relegation stateside to capitalise on World Cup fever
The USL plans to implement a new first division in 2028 at the same level as MLS that - once promotion-relegation is introduced - will sit at the top of an interconnected three-tier professional pyram...
www.skysports.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:59 PM
The USL: US soccer league bringing promotion-relegation stateside to capitalise on World Cup fever www.skysports.com/football/new... [via @skysportspl.bsky.social]
MLS deputy commissioner, SUM president Gary Stevenson to retire www.nytimes.com/athletic/679... [via @nytimes.com]
MLS deputy commissioner, SUM president Gary Stevenson to retire
www.nytimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:55 PM
MLS deputy commissioner, SUM president Gary Stevenson to retire www.nytimes.com/athletic/679... [via @nytimes.com]
MLS Commissioner Rules on MLS Cup Favorite’s Stadium Relocation Plans www.si.com/soccer/mls-c... [via @sisoccer.bsky.social]
MLS Commissioner Rules on MLS Cup Favorite's Stadium Relocation Plans
The Vancouver Whitecaps have not confirmed where they will play in the 2026 season.
www.si.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:27 PM
MLS Commissioner Rules on MLS Cup Favorite’s Stadium Relocation Plans www.si.com/soccer/mls-c... [via @sisoccer.bsky.social]
Tata back. www.mlssoccer.com/news/tata-ma... [via @mls.bsky.social]
Tata Martino returns as Atlanta United head coach | MLSSoccer.com
Atlanta United have named Gerardo
www.mlssoccer.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Tata back. www.mlssoccer.com/news/tata-ma... [via @mls.bsky.social]
Kansas City unveils plan for its free 2026 World Cup fan fest www.nytimes.com/athletic/675... [via @nytimes.com]
Kansas City unveils plan for its free 2026 World Cup fan fest
Kansas City will host six games during the 2026 World Cup, but its fan fest will be a staple throughout the competition next summer
www.nytimes.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Kansas City unveils plan for its free 2026 World Cup fan fest www.nytimes.com/athletic/675... [via @nytimes.com]
NYCFC’s unbearable wait inches toward its end with a new stadium on the rise www.nytimes.com/athletic/676... [via @nytimes.com]
NYCFC's unbearable wait inches toward its end with a new stadium on the rise
www.nytimes.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:49 PM
NYCFC’s unbearable wait inches toward its end with a new stadium on the rise www.nytimes.com/athletic/676... [via @nytimes.com]
Sports Media Pod: MLS viewership surge www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/202... [via @sportsbizjournal.bsky.social]
Sports Media Pod: MLS viewership surge
On this week’s Sports Media Podcast, SBJ’s Alex Silverman breaks down the surprising 29% increase in MLS viewership in 2025. Is it the Messi effect, better distribution, or something else? Find out ho...
www.sportsbusinessjournal.com
October 30, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Sports Media Pod: MLS viewership surge www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/202... [via @sportsbizjournal.bsky.social]
Messi’s $20m salary and MLS’ future. Plus: Dowman, 15, makes history www.nytimes.com/athletic/676... [via @nytimes.com]
Messi’s $20m salary and MLS’ future. Plus: Dowman, 15, makes history
MLS salaries have been revealed, and there are no prizes for guessing its top earner. But what does it say about the competition?
www.nytimes.com
October 30, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Messi’s $20m salary and MLS’ future. Plus: Dowman, 15, makes history www.nytimes.com/athletic/676... [via @nytimes.com]
Reposted by Shawn Francis
Post a perfect album from 1989, a perfect music year
October 29, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Post a perfect album from 1989, a perfect music year
Post a perfect album from 1989, a perfect misic year
October 29, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Post a perfect album from 1989, a perfect misic year
MLS has 19 of the world's 50 most valuable soccer clubs. Here's the full list. ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/mls-19-... [via @yahoosports.bsky.social]
MLS has 19 of the world's 50 most valuable soccer clubs. Here's the full list.
Five MLS teams are valued at more than $1 billion, while 14 other clubs are among the Top 50 most valuable clubs in the world, according to Sportico.
ca.sports.yahoo.com
October 29, 2025 at 2:08 PM
MLS has 19 of the world's 50 most valuable soccer clubs. Here's the full list. ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/mls-19-... [via @yahoosports.bsky.social]
The chaos of the U.S. Open Cup: Why Sharktopus FC gets a rematch www.espn.com/soccer/story... [via @espnfc]
www.espn.com
October 22, 2025 at 11:57 PM
The chaos of the U.S. Open Cup: Why Sharktopus FC gets a rematch www.espn.com/soccer/story... [via @espnfc]
Brooklyn FC tabs USMNT great Brian McBride as first GM www.nytimes.com/athletic/673... [via @nytimes.com]
Brooklyn FC tabs USMNT great Brian McBride as first GM
McBride is heading back into management in USL after his role as U.S. men's national team general manager
www.nytimes.com
October 21, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Brooklyn FC tabs USMNT great Brian McBride as first GM www.nytimes.com/athletic/673... [via @nytimes.com]
Vintage store almost got my money today.
October 18, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Vintage store almost got my money today.
How do US soccer fans feel about the men's team 8 months before the World Cup? www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/dynam... [via @houstonchronicle.com]
How do US soccer fans feel about the men's team 8 months before the World Cup?
The World Cup is eight months away. We asked USMNT fans in Austin how they feel about the team as the tournament approaches.
www.houstonchronicle.com
October 10, 2025 at 3:53 PM
How do US soccer fans feel about the men's team 8 months before the World Cup? www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/dynam... [via @houstonchronicle.com]
After years of winning back his Juventus place, Weston McKennie aims to do same for USMNT www.nytimes.com/athletic/670... [via @nytimes.com]
After years of winning back his Juventus place, Weston McKennie aims to do same for USMNT
McKennie has endured an annual grind to prove his worth for his club. After much time away, he must replicate that for his country
www.nytimes.com
October 9, 2025 at 8:06 PM
After years of winning back his Juventus place, Weston McKennie aims to do same for USMNT www.nytimes.com/athletic/670... [via @nytimes.com]
Local leaders team up, call for ‘greater collaboration’ over planned NE Revolution stadium in Everett. www.masslive.com/politics/202... [via @masslive.bsky.social]
Local leaders team up, call for ‘greater collaboration’ over planned Revs stadium in Everett
"A transparent, inclusive dialogue will ensure that a new stadium for the Revolution will strengthen the entire region," Malden Mayor Gary Christenson said.
www.masslive.com
October 9, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Local leaders team up, call for ‘greater collaboration’ over planned NE Revolution stadium in Everett. www.masslive.com/politics/202... [via @masslive.bsky.social]
Why Jordi Alba’s retirement shuts off one of Lionel Messi’s most telepathic supply lines www.nytimes.com/athletic/670... [via @nytimes.com]
Why Jordi Alba’s retirement shuts off one of Lionel Messi’s most telepathic supply lines
Across more than 400 games together, the two players have combined to bypass opponents with predictable ease
www.nytimes.com
October 9, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Why Jordi Alba’s retirement shuts off one of Lionel Messi’s most telepathic supply lines www.nytimes.com/athletic/670... [via @nytimes.com]