GOLTV confirms talks with NASL over 2012 coverage

GOLTV has confirmed that it is in talks with the NASL about extending its coverage of the league into the 2012 season.

The debut of TEAM NASL, a new magazine show featuring the eight franchises in the league, aired last week. Three episodes were filmed and are airing as the league finishes its playoff run.

And Adrian Costas, content manager for GOLTV, confirmed Thursday that talks are underway to bring the magazine show back for next season.

“Currently, GOLTV and NASL are in talks for next season,” wrote Costas in an e-mail to The 11. “I don’t know about game coverage, but the continuity of the show looks feasible.”

Costas works out of the network’s Florida head office. GOLTV Canada is run out of Toronto and is administered by Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. The two GOLTV stations often simulcast programs, such as La Liga and Bundesliga matches, but the Canadian network does carry some unique fare, such as the Toronto FC broadcasts and magazine shows. GOLTV Canada is also subject to Canadian-content requirements. Both GOLTV and GOLTV Canada are showing TEAM NASL.

Next season, the NASL is slated to have just one Canadian team — FC Edmonton. Ottawa is scheduled to join after the capital city’s new stadium is ready.

Sources have told The 11 that Montreal and Vancouver are still lobbying to have their reserve sides play in NASL, but that’s a matter for MLS to decide. NASL has confirmed that both teams have retained their NASL membership — even though they have left for MLS.

Rumours also continue to fly about a possible franchise in southern Ontario. But the United States Soccer Federation requires that 75 per cent of the NASL’s franchises be American based, so the league would likely need to ask for a special dispensation from the USSF if all the rumoured Canadian franchises were to come to pass. And, the Canadian Soccer Association is studying the feasibility of an all-Canadian Div.-2 at the moment.