North America is a pretty darn big continent, but NASL commissioner Bill Peterson isn’t afraid of promotion and relegation.
In a feature promoting the continent’s second-tier on the BBC’s web site, Peterson continued his support of pro/rel in America, giving reasons why it could work in the United States and Canada (and Puerto Rico, where Carmelo Anthony recently announced plans to launch a club).
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Peterson has been honking the pro/rel horn dating back at least as far as 2013, and continues to do so.
From the BBC News:“We would be all for promotion and relegation, and this is something I want to talk to the USSF about,” says Mr Peterson. “Every amateur team needs to have the dream of going up the football pyramid.”
Another challenge is establishing a competitive structure across such a large geographical area.
“That is why we have gone for four teams in Florida, which has a population bigger than some countries,” says Mr Peterson, “we will do something similar on the West Coast, and then look to fill in [in between].”
Features like this have different aims -- Peterson is looking for a title sponsor for NASL -- but it’s clear he thinks the desire for pro/rel is real. He also will likely enjoy prodding Major League Soccer as the NASL continues to grow.