FOOKING FERGIE. Devils sell Rossi to Villareal

The following was submitted for posting by anonymous contributor.

ok, i am writing without any composure... so it may sound very bad. ugh,,,, my fooking lungs hurt!yes... making way for tevez. as i told endo... either rooney or rossi is gone. rossi sure was the best candidate.he was the best prospect to make it big at ginobili. he was our raul, beckham.. etc. it is good for him, nevertheles.

he would not have pt time at all. he has still miles to go to develop into a cron rooney, messi type, and may never reach that level. however, i wanted him to stay and all the fans i m sure wanted him to stay. he was our chance to see someone out of the youth reserves make it big.

agree... they are clearing room. agree... it is good for rossi. not good for ginobili as previous stated why. in addition, FOOKING FERGIE... saha is hurt; smith is being sold and that is good; ole is old and hurt; teves might not be here; that leaves rooney as the only foward. WTF is going to happen if when (they get hurt)? even though they are healthy, what happens during an injury criris!?!??!?!?!?!?!?!

this may come off bad, and i dont mean no offense to latin american players in genral. but to me, this is the result of today's football - commercialism, business. yes, i accept it. it is a natural progression. the sad result is that is the end of playing players out of the reserves or youth academy. because of strict comptition, where every game counts, players from reserves dont get playing time. ther eis no chance to give away games here and there to give young players a chance anymore. for young players to get pt,,, they ahve to be loaned out or be stolen from other teams after they have proven to be first team at a lesser team - - like torres. but, today's trend is to get players from latin america, more specifically argy and brazil, and now you are seeing mexico and others like peru.i guess you can say that about american basketball.

it is international and HS (well, college freshman) now. that signaled the end for college students trying to play in the nba. there isnt enough space on the squad.

Power Rangers buy Univision, seriously; Televisa bails

Televisa v.s. Univision, Business Week. Very good article, I recommend it.
History of Univision.

Back in September 2006, Univision was purchased by a group of private investors for 12.3 Billion dollars. The group of investers was headed by Haim Saban, the man that gave the world Power Rangers. Emilio Azcárraga, owner of Televisa, had his bid rejected by Univision president/owner Jerrold Perenchio. Perenchio then seemed to back track a little when the bidding period was extended; either to allow Televisa to make a counter offer, or join Saban’s group of investors. Televisa pulled out of negotiations and stated that they would “look in a different direction.”

Televisa was 11.4% owner of Univision right up until the sale. Televisa will now look into a different direction to continue its aspirations of infiltrating the U.S. market. Televisa and Univision will continue to be attached at the hip by an agreement that gives Univision the exclusive right to transmit Televisa-produced content in the United States. Televisa is the largest producer of Spanish content in the world.
Back in May of 2005, Televisa sued Univision. Televisa’s claim is that Univision has failed to pay full royalties for Televisa-produced content. Univision’s response is that they had made overpayments to Televisa in previous years.
From the point of view of analyst, Televisa has a legitimate complaint and has a good probability winning its case.
Ana Gabriela Ocejo, analyst for Scotia Bank Inverlat, stated that if Televisa wins the case, they will be able to renegotiate the current Univision-Televisa agreement to increase the amount of future royalties. The royalties currently received by Televisa seem meager given the tremendous popularity of Televisa-produced programs and “novellas” (soap-operas).

In 2005, Univision unilaterally decided to reduce the amount of royalties paid to Televisa. Furthermore Univision seized payment on non-recurring television specials produced by Televisa, such as Premios Lo Nuestro, and various musical specials. The stop-payment seems odd given that Univision had been paying for these specials for the last 14 years. In addition Televisa claims that in the same year, Univision began “modifying” Televisa-produced programming, in violation of the Televisa-Univision agreement.

Televisa also asserted the right to distribute its content online and prevent Univision from distributing Televisa-produced content online. Univision’s right to distribute Televisa-produced content online expired December 19, 2006. Televisa moved to assert itself as the only online distributor of its own content.

So what does this have to do with Soccer???
Everything! For starters Forbes reports that there is a completely different pact that allows Univision to broadcast Televisa produced soccer games. That pact is set to expire December 2007. Chivas have already signed a U.S. TV deal that gives Telemundo the right to broadcast Chivas home games on U.S. airwaves beginning in 2008. See my other post about Chivas’ new TV deal. By losing Televisa-produced soccer games, Univision will miss out on all Club America, Necaxa, and Club San Luis home games as well as any other team who has a contract with Televisa. This is most likely the reason Univision has just inked a deal with Soccer United Marketing in which Univision will carry 25 MLS games a season, 10 U.S. National Team games and 5 International Friendlies. The Univision-SUM deal began this year and will last until 2014.

Currently the Televisa-Univision case has been postponed until January 15, 2008. Televisa has filled 111,140 pages worth of documents for the case and has petitioned the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles to subpoena records from sponsors like Coca Cola, Procter & Gamble, Lexicon and Wal-Mart in order to show that Univision has made “tremendous” profits advertising these companies’ products on Televisa-produced shows.

Whatever the outcome of the court case the Univision-Televisa partnership has most likely been severed beyond repair. I expect that Televisa will most likely seek a temporary partnership with NBC Universal’s Telemundo, which will probably halt NBC’s attempt to infiltrate into Mexico and create a third major network in Mexico. If Televisa can’t gain full control of Telemundo, I expect them to seriously begin considering forming a 4th major Spanish network in the U.S.

FMF to block players from competing sponsors

FMF will pay some of the National Team players to keep them from filming commercials for brands that are competitors to sponsoring brands of the Mexican National Team.

Mexico’s El Financiero reports that about 10 Mexican National Team players we be paid annually in order to keep the players from filming commercials with brands that don’t sponsor the Mexican National Team.
Rodrigo Lopez, merchandising director for FMF, stated that “we are covering the players that are the most coveted in the National Team, players like Giovanni Dos Santos, Carlos Vela, Pavel Pardo, Oswaldo Sanchez and Refael Marquez, among others. This way we can assure exclusivity to our sponsors."

This news shouldn’t surprise anyone that follows “El Tri”. FMF had to take action after last year’s incident in which Lavolpe along with Kikin Fonseca and Rafael Marquez filmed a commercial for Pepsi, while Coca Cola was the El Tri’s official sponsor. Coincidently, Lavolpe also appeared in El Tri’s Coca Cola commercial which aired two days earlier. Pepsi contracted Lavolpe along with 5 other MNT player right before the 2006 World Cup. There are no rules prohibiting a player or coach from signing an individual commercial contract.

Marquez and Dos Santos are currently signed to Nike. Adidas is the official sponsor for the Mexican National Team. Marquez and Kikin Fonseca are also spokesmen for Pepsi, while Coca Cola continues to sponsor El Tri.
FMF better be careful. If it is ever even theorized that Sanchez is selecting players based on what sponsors they are signed to, it might blow up in FMF’s face.

Mexican National Team Novela Continues...

Mexican National Team novela continues with this weeks episode guest starting Chivas president Jorge Vergara and the mysterious "report".

Vergars said that the reason the MNT euro based players did not play in the copa america was not due to fatigue but "dressing room" issues. He also mentions that a report will come out where we all will learn the truth.
FMF president Justino Compean is quoted as saying "We have to understand that these players have commitments with their clubs, that they play in very tough competitions in Europe... and they need to have a rest,"

Personally this is a weak excuse, which seems to be supported by FMF, I am sure other MNT players wanted a rest, but the honor of representing your country comes first.

But the drama continues....


Si Soccer Article

The Headbutt coming to MLS

According to mediotiemp.com the Brititsh News Paper "The Sun" has reported that the LA Galaxy have made an offer of $50 million to Zinedine Zidane for one season. Dont know how this will fit with the MLS salary cap rules, but if Zidane does accept the offer the MLS will add another international superstar. England and Mexico now have a reason to watch MLS, with this signing the MLS will add France to that list increasing its visibility. We just have to wait and see.

Nery Castillo "free" to leave Olympiakos

U.K.’s Guardian reports that after contract re-negotiations fell apart today (Friday) Nery Castillo is free to leave Olympiakos if he can bring in a transfer offer of 15 Million Euros.
Castillo, under contract with Olympiakos until 2010, rejected a new four-year deal which would have netted him 1Million Euros ($1.37Million) per year. This would have doubled Castillo’s current yearly salary. It was reported by mediotiempo.com that Castillo was seeking to become Olympiakos highest paid player. Currently Olympiakos' highest paid player is Luciano Galletti at 1.3 Million Euros a year. Castillos was seeking 1.5 Millions Euros a year from Olympiakos.

After meeting with Olympiakos chive Petros Kokkalis, Castillo stated, “they (Olympiakos) told me that if I can bring in a 15 million Euros offer then I can leave the club."
"I was expecting something else. I came today with the dream to stay with Olympiakos. Unfortunately, that is not how it turned out to be."

"There is a huge difference between the two sides. I am trying to do whatever I can but Olympiakos must see that as well. It is my career and life that we are talking about here."

Media reports have liked Castillo to Premier Leagues' Manchester City, currently managed by former England boss Sven Eriksson.

Ilija Ivac, Olympiakos technical director, confirmed that Olympiakos has received an offer for 13 Million Euros but insisted that Castillo would not move unless they received the right offer.
"Castillo has a three-year contract with Olympiakos. If the contract does not expire the player cannot leave the club.
"There's no issue at hand since we want the player to stay with the club. If the player wants to leave then as long as Olympiakos is satisfied with the outcome everything will be ok."
"Castillo will leave if he wants to leave and only if the offer presented to Olympiakos is worthwhile," added Ivic.

Mediotiempo, Castillo numeros (in Spanish).
Guardian, Castillo for sale.

Nery Castillo, set to make BIG Jump

Milenio reports that 23 year old Mexican Striker has two offers to leave Greece’s Olympiakos and will settle on his future in the following days.

Nery Castillo Jr. is coming off a great showing in Copa America and is awaiting approval from his current club to seek out new horizons.

“This weekend the decision will be made, we are hopeful that Olympiakos understands this opportunity for Nery and we hope to have their support. I believe they will understand,” said Nery Castillo Sr. on a radio interview to Estadio W. Nery Castillo Sr. is also his son’s agent.
Castillo Jr. is currently under contract with Olympiakos but according to Castillo Sr. there are currently offers from Manchester City (Premier League) and Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine) for Nery. It has been speculated that Manchester City has offered 20 Million dollars for Nery’s services.

Castillo Sr. added “he (Castillo Jr.) is willing to play for any club in any country.”
Castillo Jr. owns 25% of his own federative soccer rights and has won 6 championships with Olympiakos. Castillo Sr. also hinted that Castillo Jr. could stay under certain conditions. “If Olympiakos can come near to what they (Manchester City and Dotesk) are offering, Nery might stay,” stated Castillo Sr.

Interestingly, as a 16 year old, Nery Castillo Jr. was set to join Manchester United, but he failed to gain the required work permit to play in England. After the bitter experience Castillo Sr. accepted an offer to move his son to Olympiakos.

Milenio, Nery Castillo con Ofertas (Article in Spanish).

Mexican League, top 5 in the World, MLS 84th.

According to IFFHS (International Federation of Football History & Statistics)
Mexico has the 5th best league in the world.

IFFHS League Rankings

The top 10 Leagues According to IFFHS:
Ranking 1st Division of: Points
1 Spain 602
2 Brazil 568
3 England 550
4 Argentina 548
5 Mexico 486.5
6 Italy 479.0
7 France 386.5
8 Colombia 364.5
9 Germany 361
10 Chile 342.5


IFHHS didn't base their ranking on average player salary or how much each club in the league is worth or how much the league generates. They based it strictly on participation on continental tournaments such as Champions League, Libertadores, UEFA Cup and Copa Sudamericana. Also the ranking was favorable to leagues which featured a broad range of teams participating in these continental type tournaments. So a League with 1 Good team, even if that team is the best in the world, is going to be ranked lower than a League with 2 or more good teams.

Mexican Leagues high ranking can be attributed to good participation in Libertadores.
Mexican teams have participated in Libertadores 21 different times, failing to get into knockout round only 3 times. This year all 3 Mexican teams reached the knockout round.

In Sudamericana Cup Mexican teams first started participating in 2005. So far the worst showing has been 1 Quarter finals exit. The rest are Semis, or finals, including last year’s Pachuca championship.

Mexico is ranked high for the similar reasons that Brazil is ranked 2nd. In the last 2 years The Brazilian Champion goes on to become the Libertadores Champion and then goes on to become World Champion at FIFA Club World Cup. This would mean that at least for now the Libertadores is above Champions League. Add to this the fact that in the last 2 Libertadores 6 different Mexicans teams participated and you can begin to see why Mexico is considered a strong AND balanced league.

Interesting Note: MLS was ranked 84th, probably due to lack of continental participation. MLS only has a participation in Copa Sudamericana, in 2005, and no participation in Libertadores. MLS along with U.S. Soccer need to change their view on South American tournaments if they really expect MLS to grow.

MLS, doing a couple things right this week.

I for one like the two additions MLS made this week. I like that the MLS is trying to set the foundation to have other countries interested in MLS. By signing Cuauhtemoc Blanco, all of Mexico will now be interested in what happens in MLS and how Blanco does in MLS. The same can be said for England with Beckham. The next step is to try to get both England and Mexico to purchase International TV rights. In Mexico this has already started with FOX Sports Español purchasing MLS rights to certain Chicago Fire games.

MLS needs to continue this trend. Don’t just bring in good players into the league, but also bring in players that already have an established fan following. This will only help the league by increasing the demand for MLS television rights in foreign countries.

Futbol (Football) makes it's living from TV Rights and the selling of these rights. This is why English Premier League is so successful. They take the best players from France, Korea, Portugal, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, China, Netherlands and many other countries and let them shine in Premier. These countries then have to buy the International Rights so local fans can watch their stars.

When Osorio and Pardo signed with Stuttgart, Telemundo jumped on and purchased the rights to Stuttgart games so Mexican soccer fans in the U.S.A could follow the two Mexican internationals. Telemundo purchased the tape-delay rights. When Salcido went to PSV, Telemundo jumped on PSV rights. I totally expect Telemundo to jump on the Deportivo Coruña TV Rights for Andres Guardado games, even if it continues to be on tape-delay.

This year in anticipation to the Blanco and Beckham signing, and to counter Telemundo, Univision purchased MLS rights and will show MLS games on Telefutura Network. (Univision owns both Telefutura and Galavision). That means that this year you'll probably be able to find a lot more MLS games on free-to-air TV, even if you have to learn a little Spanish.

Publicly Owned Football Clubs

There still exists a few successfully ran publicly owned Football Clubs

The following clubs are publicly owned:
In Spain, Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Athletic de Bilbao, Osasuna.

In Italy Juventus, Roma and Lazio are publicly owned. In Juventus’ case it is owned by a publicly traded company.

In Premier League, I know Arsenal and Tottenham are publicly owned. There might be a few others but I only know of these two for sure.

Also by direct league mandate all German Bundesliga teams are at least 51% publicly owned.

Real Madrid, Manchester United and Arsenal are the 3 most valuable clubs in the world according to Forbes. This means that 2 of the top 3 clubs are Publicly owned.

Check this article about Strategy and the FC Barcelona Model, it discusses the 4 main models of Football Club Ownership.
David Bruce Allen article on Barcelonahtml

Interestingly enough, out of all the football clubs in the world, Barcelona has the most "socios" (owners) followed by Bayern Munich.
Sport article on Barcelona

Here's another article about the Role of Public Sports Associations in Society. It's pretty interesting.
Role of Sports Associations

The West Ham-Tevez-MSI saga

In light of FIFA’s decision to steer clear of the West Ham-Tevez-MSI soap opera, a quick recap of the events that led up to today might be in order.

The Carlos Tevez Story

1997, Carlos Tevez came to Baca Juniors when he was 13. He came through the youth system and was one of the young stars of Baca and played for all of Argentina’s youth teams: Sub 17 and Sub 20.

2004, Tevez leads Argentina to a Gold Medal in Olympics and leads the tournament with 9 goals. After the Olympics he asks for vacation time from Boca. Here's where it gets interesting. It is believed that during his time off he was in negotiations with MSI (Media Sports Investments) and MSI's Iranian owner Kia Joorabch. At the end of 2004 Boca Junior sells Carlos Tevez to MSI for $20Million. That's right Tevez is not owned by any team, he's owned by an investment group, headed by Joorabch.

Ok now let’s back track a little bit. The story gets better.
In 1993 Alberto Dualib became chairman of Brazilian Club Corinthians.
In 2004 under Dualib's suggestion, Corinthians signed a deal that would put Corinthian under the control for MSI for the next 10 years, in other words he rented out Corinthians to MSI. MSI purchased other South American stars (Javier Mascherano) and brought them all to Corinthians and turned the team around. MSI purchased some important coaches such as River's Pasarella and brought them to Corinthians.
Well as it turned out Dualib was also a friend of Joorabch and was helping him put the Corinthians deal together. Everyone one involved in the Corinthians-MSI deal including Joorabch and Dualib are wanted for money laundering charges in Brazil. Despite this MSI continues to run Corinthians.

West Ham, Tevez and Mascherano

On August 31st, 2006, Mascherano and Tevez were sent to West Ham on Loan but the very next day it was declared a purchased for 35Million Euros for both players. That same day it was also revealed that MSI was interested in purchasing West Ham. Well as it turned out Mascherano was unhappy at West Ham and wanted out. Liverpool wanted Mascherano but had to make sure the move would be ok with English Premier League. On February 20, 2007 Mascherano's move to Liverpool became official. At this time it was also revealed that MSI didn't own Mascherano. Mascherano was owned by other investment groups, Global Soccer Agencies and Mystere Services. Tevez is owned by MSI and Just Sport Inc.

Under the "Mascherano Agreement" West Ham didn't own Mascherano and he was free to go mostly due to the fact that when Mascherano's deal with Global and Mystere gives him the right to terminate any deal Global & Myster made with West Ham.

Under the "Tevez Agreement", Tevez has no say in terminating a contract made between MSI and West Ham; West Ham can't terminate the deal either. Only MSI can.

Once Mascherano left, the people at West Ham panicked and made a new deal with MSI and Just Sports in which MSI allowed Tevez to stay with West Ham and would give West Ham Control of Tevez until the end of the 06-07 season.
Guardian Story on Tevez and Mascherano Agreements

Because of the Tevez and Mascherano incidents EPL will most likely change its rules regarding third-party ownership of players. Beginning in the 07-08 season commercial-company involvement in player contracts will probably not be allowed.

On the surface it appears that West Ham has little say on the Tevez-to-United deal, especially if reports are true about West Ham only having control of Tevez until the end of the ‘06-07 season. What is known for sure is that Manchester United is willing to buy Tevez for transfer fee of £30 million; the question is who gets that fee, West Ham or MSI?

Early today it was reported that Joorabchian has decided to take West Ham to High Court in response to West Ham decision to rip up the agreement they had made with MSI and Just Sports for Tevez.
Hammers get hit, Telegraph