Date of Publication

Spring 2012

Document Type

Undergraduate Project

Professor's Name

Emily Dane-Staples


Since the North American Soccer League dissolved in 1984, there was no longer a prominent professional soccer league in North America until Major League Soccer was founded in 1996. Previous research on MLS efficiency was last recorded after the 2000 season, leaving a ten-year gap. This research revisits MLS efficiency for the 2010 season through a formula based on percentages against averages of each team for all tested elements. The factors used to compute efficiency are absolute attendance, television viewership, points awarded, and total team salary. Efficiency scores are then further analyzed for anomalies. In contrast to previous research, the teams operating efficiently have changed, and half of the 16-team league is now efficient.