New York Cosmos Are On The Market (40 Years Later)
By: Dave Martinez | May 5th, 2009
Adam Spangler at “This Is American Soccer” scored a revealing interview with past and present owner of the New York Cosmos name, franchise and trademark, Mr. Peppe Pinton. The colorful owner was as outspoken and flamboyant as ever, touting the Cosmos name, his role in bringing the team to prominence and his insistence on protecting and maintaining the good image and reputation of the team in tact.
What made this particular interview all the more revealing is the fact that Pinton has finally come to terms with the Major League Soccer model, and is ready to embrace the organization he shunned and verbally baited for years. For those who aren’t aware, Pinton has always held a bit of a grudge with MLS for presenting the league as the “anti-NASL,” featuring salary caps, only a handful of teams at inception, and a single entity ownership structure. The discrediting of the NASL business model, and MLS inability to say a good thing about the league rubbed Peppe the wrong way. Pinton claims that the Metrostars were hot for the Cosmos name, but he didn’t even entertain the offer because of it.
Now, with the growth of the league, and beautiful stadiums being built all over the country, Pinton sees the opportunity for an ownership group (like the Wilpons) to shoot an offer his way, and capitalize on the “media hype” by resurrecting the New York Cosmos. Not for money mind you, but for the good of the game.
Right.
He does make convincing arguments about the importance of local rivalries, the global power of the Cosmos name and the immediate media attention it would bring. But the much maligned owners words have been taken with a grain of salt for years. It would be interesting to see if anything new surfaces because of this.
Head on over to the above link and take a read. Meanwhile, I have to ask; how would you feel about sharing a stadium with the “New New York Cosmos?” Think it will do more for a true at home rivalry? Have the “Borough Boys” found another New York team to attach themselves with? Or do you think this is all just Peppe spewing hot wind once more? Feel free to discuss below.
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Comments
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Yankees/Mets, Jets/Giants, Rangers/Islanders, Red Bulls/Cosmos? I don’t think it works for MLS. The goals is to expand to new markets, not saturate current ones.
Posted from
United States
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Jeremy, spot on my friend. I think this would work if the franchise itself was set up to play in NYC, but to share a stadium would be just another team in the swamp who is desperate to draw a crowd.
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United States -
If the team were to play in the city it would be great, easier to get to get to games without tolls and gasoline. But if it’s the Wilpons (I’m a Met fan)who are not favorites with Met fans because of their team decisions then I hope it’s another owner.
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United States -
This is true about a saturated market, tho if one or the other changes it’s name to RBNJ or NJ Cosmos this is a hole nother story. Yea, they may share a stadium but so do the Jets and Giants and they both attract different fan bases. We all know MLS or RBNY hardly ever sold out Giant’s Stadium (Beckem not included) Look back to the Cosmo days. They sold tons of tix and had a large fan base. This means good business and publicity for MLS.
Or the name and/or rights to the name can be sold to say Utah. Even still expanding MLS Making the league that much bigger.
Posted from
Australia -
Good to hear from ya my overseas brother. May be time for another Overseas correspondence!
The Cosmos thing would only work in NY in my opinion. The use of the name is so tempting – I would only hope for competitions sake that someone like the Wilpons would take this on. I would love to see intra NY rivalries for sure.
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United States -
Dave … Your sentiments are the same as mine. Now is the time for Pinton to cash in on the name. There will be another team in the NY area and now is the time to get the name used. Seattle has maintained the Sounders brand with teams in other leagues … the Cosmos did not do that. The Washington Freedom maintained their brand and even created a W-League team while waiting for the WPS. Pinton could have done the same, Cosmos FC or Cosmos SC should have been an ongoing concern, not just a trademark.
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United States -
40 years later meaning the inception of the team and not the end of the NASL era?
The New York Cosmos officially join the North American Soccer League on December 10, 1970.
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United States -
lol no Gordon, I meant after the closing. 40 isnt even exact, but I used that number since THAT would have been selling time. Good pick up.
And again, a non shared venue, with a strong ownership group, and actual travel (which will create the type of ‘road trips’ that nurture the culture of soccer supporters) between states would really make for a great watch. I am always for a NY based franchise. But two in the swamp or the Cosmos anywhere outside of this area wouldnt work.
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United States -
btw Gordon – I love your TV show (yes, I am actually that much of a nerd to know this . . . ) Melmac rocks.
Posted from
United States -
Dave … you are the first to pick that up!
Giving some new owners the rights to Cosmos as a gift would be a great benefit. I agree that the new team should be in the city and not at Red Bulls Arena or the swamp. Back to RBNY … will the team make the USOC … I suspect that the defending champions will win on May 20th.Posted from
United States -
wow. Not even the owners can bare to watch this team suck. They’d rather sell than watch.
can we blame them really?
how much are they asking. perhaps we can get a pool together and offer $47. we’ll be the highest bidder Im sure
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United States -
if the mls is smart redbull newyork will be renamed redbull cosmos this will be a win win cosmos are back redbull gets to keep redbull in the team name newyork is droped from name nomore fighting over i fthe team is newyorks or newjersy its for the whole area and bring back cosmos logo keep redbull on jersy as shirt sponser and market it all over the world bring in a big name maybe ronald or bring ziden back from reterment and pele to be club embassador and franz beckenbaur to run team as prez/gm how can you go wrong stick redbull cosmos on everything shirts hats lunchboxs watches this could be one of the worlds greatest brands and teams down the road have vision mls don .g redbull p.p get together make it happen opening day at redbull arena the new redbull cosmos should tke to the field……bring back the cosmos lets start the movment bring back the cosmos some one out there get on this band wagon and make it come true bring back th cosmos………longtime nasl mls and overall soccer fan…….cosmos forever
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United States -
If LA has two teams (LA Galaxy/Chivas USA) than I think that New York would be able to handle the situation perfectly, plus a city divided Red Bulls/Cosmos would be great.
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United States -
Mr. Pinton is misguided and greedy. If he was really interested in allowing the Cosmos to come back, then he would have worked it out. Believe me when I say he had plenty of offers. The fact that Cosmos merchandise, at a cost of over $200 per item is available on the site, is an outrage and only points to his greed.
Whether it helps or hurts the Red Bulls is open to debate. The Cosmos name still today is recognized. It is our team, not Pinton’s. Without fans he is nothing. He has a name, big deal.
We’ve started a group on Facebook to bring the team back. Maybe, through influence, we can get this done. NASL, MLS, it doesn’t matter. We need the Cosmos back.
Posted from
United States
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