How, might you ask, can MLS improve their presentation, make their product better to look at, and improve their standing in the soccer community?
If you guessed "Get better players" or "End single-entity" or anything else that relates directly to the salaries or talent of the men who play soccer in the league, hang your head in shame because you're utterly and completely wrong.
The answer is "Broadcast every match in HD", of course. That's exactly what MLS is set to do in 2010, a result of a push from the League's leadership to highlight the improving quality of play on the field. There's now a mandate requiring every MLS club to produce their matches locally in high definition, the details of which are still being fleshed out.
The always-informed Kyle McCarthy has an overview of the HD mandate up at Goal.com, and though I highly suggest you read it, I wonder if you won't be thinking the same thing I did when you're done. What really changes? If some clubs will both have trouble finding HD outlets in their markets (very possible) and all HD broadcasts may not be available on the Direct Kick package ("there are questions" says McCarthy), then why make the shift?
Because it's necessary to improve the look of the league on television, even if it has little immediate impact. More local networks will be adding or switching to HD capabilities in the future, and it's smart for MLS to be ready for that eventuality by already having their content in the format. Just like any sport, soccer looks better in HD.
Perhaps you're of the opinion that producing every game broadcast in HD is akin to putting lipstick on a pig; I won't argue with you, especially as I wonder how much this move will cost the league (McCarthy relates numbers as high as 20-30% over SD costs) while the debate over player compensation and removing some of the financial shackles for the on-field product rages.
Nevertheless, this mandate shows that MLS is serious about getting with the times, and in a hurry. Combined with the revamping of the League's website (coming very soon, I'm told), Major League Soccer is making some savvy media decisions.
