Is the Cascadia Cup trademark debacle close to seeing a satisfactory conclusion?
There are some positive statements coming out of the League's office but is it genuine or is it just a case of smoke and mirrors to get people to stop talking about it and focus on the new campaign? Either way, the battle between the supporters' groups and MLS seems far from over.
We'd mentioned in our <a href="http://www.canadiansoccernews.com/content.php?4225-Cascadia-Cup-trademark-battle-needs-to-remain-at-forefront-of-our-minds" target="_blank"><u>article earlier this week</u></a> that it would be interesting to get the three Cascadian clubs take on events. So we did our part in that and spoke to Vancouver Whitecaps' President Bobby Lenarduzzi about the whole sorry situation at today's media day.
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Can the Whitecaps, Sounders and Timbers get involved and put pressure on MLS or is it a case that they just need to stay on the sidelines and let the two warring parties come to their own resolution?
<i>"We are aware and we have stepped back from it and MLS are the primary communicators in that regard.
My simplistic approach on it is without the fans, we don't have a team. Without a team, there's no fans. Without a League, there's no games being played.
To me, it's a lot of fuss over I'm not sure what and that's in every regard. I just can't see us in a situation where we can't come to a resolution that is good for everyone, because we all need each other."</i>
The longer the whole thing drags out without any resolution, the further apart both parties appear to the casual observer, and once lawyers get involved in proceedings it's never simple.
<i>"It's a little unfortunate. So my hope is that we get to a point where we don't jeopardize what we have and we have something very special in terms of our market"</i> added Lenarduzzi.
<i>"In our own market you look at the uniqueness of attending a soccer match versus any other sporting event and it's different. It's something that when people go to a game for the first time, they like the game but they like the interaction that's taking place.
So we have this going for us and it would be a shame if we can't get to a point where we all realise that none of us can exist without the other, but we'll leave that up to the League and the Supporters' Groups to sort out."</i>
Neither party has really shown any sign of moving from their position but when MLS Commissioner Don Garber was asked about it yesterday during his <a href="
<i>"I am very confident that we will reach an agreement that will make everybody happy. That will take some of the heat off of this issue, satisfy some of our concerns, but at the same time honour and provide some reverence and support for that great trophy and that terrific tournament."</i>
The downside of Garber's comments was when he talked about the <i>"caretakers"</i> of the Cup, not as they're known to you and me, the creators and rightful owners.
The only satisfactory outcome that I personally believe would appease all is that the Cascadia Cup Council will hold the copyright but there will be an agreement with MLS that they will not sell sponsorship rights to the Cup or market it in any way detrimental to MLS values and sponsors.
Of course, Garber may just being saying what he thinks the fans want to hear to shut them up or just be deluded in thinking that the fans will accept MLS owning the copyright in any way, shape or form. I'm also naturally sceptical of anything that comes out of the mouths of those that run our game.
As Jonathan Tannenwald quickly <a href="
In this case however, I want to genuinely believe that Garber has admitted defeat and was being sincere and we can soon put this episode behind us and get down to what really matters - Vancouver lifting a record breaking fourth Cascadia Cup in October.
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