Cosmos Federation

New York Cosmos

The New York Cosmos (1971-1985) was a franchise in the North American Soccer League, based in New York and New Jersey founded by the Ertegun brothers. It was one of the stronger NASL franchises, both athletically and financially. In its later years it became somewhat renowned for signing the great Brazilian player Pelè, who though at this point was well past his prime, was nonetheless one of the team's, and the league's, top gate draws during his tenure with the Cosmos. The NASL folded after the 1984 season, but the Cosmos attempted to operate as an independent team in 1985 before they folded.

The name was coined by Clive Toye, the club's first General Manager. Taking inspiration from a New York baseball franchise the "Mets," short for "Metropolitans," he took it a step further: Cosmopolitans, or "Cosmos."

Famous players to play for the club include Carlos Alberto, Franz Beckenbauer, Vladislav Bogicevic, Giorgio Chinaglia, Rick Davis, Marinho Chagas, Andranik Eskandarian, Johan Neeskens, Werner Roth, Julio Cesar Romero, Roberto Cabanas, Jomo Sono (who later named his own soccer club in South Africa the Jomo Cosmos) and most notably Pelè. On October 1, 1977, Pelé closed out his legendary career in front of a capacity crowd at Giants Stadium. In an exhibition match televised nationwide and worldwide, he played the first half with the Cosmos and the second half with his old team Santos.

That season, the Cosmos played in their first season at Giants Stadium and after turmoil that nearly destroyed the team throughout most of the season,the Cosmos won 15 games and a berth in the playoffs. In the playoffs, the Cosmos ellinmate the Tampa Bay Rowdies 3-0 before 57,828. Then in the Divisional playoffs, the Cosmos sweep the Fort Lauderdale Strikers 2 games to 0, including an 8-3 thrashing before an NASL record of 77,691 At Giants Stadium. The Cosmos then beat the Seattle Sounders 2-1 in Soccer Bowl '77 to capture their 2nd NASL Championship.

Much of the team's ability to acquire big players was due to the fact that the franchise was owned by Warner Communications. In the early 80's, Warner was the target of a hostile takeover bid by Australian media magnate Rupert Murdoch. His attempt did not succeed, but afterward Warner sold off several of its assets, among them Atari and Global Soccer, Inc., the subsidiary that operated the Cosmos. The club was sold to a syndicate led by Chinaglia. This group did not have the capital to continue to operate the team at the level when the team was owned by Warner Communications, resulting in a fire sale of many of the stars. By the last season in 1984, the Cosmos did not even make the playoffs. The precipitous decline of the Cosmos after the 1983 season became for many fans and the media proof positive of the grave condition of the whole NASL.

The team was also a member of the Major Indoor Soccer League during the 1984-85 season, but withdrew after 33 games due to low attendance.

Due to the popularity of the team and the automatic association of the team with soccer with many non-soccer fans in the U.S., there have been talks to revive the name for Major League Soccer if a second franchise is awarded to New York (after the charter member the New York Red Bulls, formerly MetroStars). The name and logo are currently still owned by former team owner, Giuseppe Peppe Pinton, who supposedly has asked for $2 million for the rights to the trademarks.

In 2006 a feature length documentary about the New York Cosmos called Once In A Lifetime was released in cinemas. The film was narrated by Matt Dillon and featured interviews with many of the players and people involved in the team. However, Pele declined to be interviewed after the filmmakers balked at his demand for $100,000.

The New York Cosmos are still the only team to have all the world's best players playing in it in a short period thats why this team will be rememberd as soccers international dreamteam.