Major League Soccer's whirlwind of activity surrounding the 2008 M.L.S. Cup is the league's way of thanking the owners of its 14 North American teams as well as its stars, sponsors, managers, and other supporters. But with members feeling the pinch of the grim economy, M.L.S. vice president of special events Geoff Hayes had to carefully walk the line between entertaining them and being extravagant. “Some of our owners are in the real estate business and finance business, and it would be inappropriate for us not to be responsible” with the budget, he said.
For the two evening events leading up to Sunday's game at Home Depot Center (where the Columbus Crew vanquished the New York Red Bulls 3-1), Hayes tackled a $70,000 cut in the budget. Plans for Friday's M.L.S. Commissioner's Party originally called for holding it at a movie studio, which would have required a significant investment in design and decor. Instead, the meet-and-greet for 665 guests relocated to Opera, an intimate and opulent Hollywood nightclub that only needed a spread of sandwiches and crudités and a few design pops—including a veil of fog at the entrance and M.L.S. logo glassware—to create a festive atmosphere.
The league also trimmed $20,000 from the food budget and reduced the guest list for Saturday's M.L.S. Gala Awards dinner from 700 to 600. The black-tie-optional dinner was held at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza, where the organization honored Chicago Fire midfielder Diego Gutierrez for his philanthropic work, as well as the 11 best players of the 2008 season. AEG Live's Peggy Ramsey pulled the evening together with simple tables topped with gold cloths, teal tablerunners and napkins, and orchid centerpieces. Spotted in the crowd were M.L.S. Commissioner Don Garber, AEG honchos Phil Anschutz and Tim Leiweke, soccer superstar Cobi Jones, and Drew Carey, who co-owns the Seattle Sounders.
