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Weekly Brief - 2007-08-04 The Weely Brief, highlighting recent soccer industry stories from around the World is provided to San Francisco Seals Fans courtesy of FMMInternational See below for more information regarding FMMInternational.
Current and past issues of the Weekly Brief can be found in our News/Information section under the "Weekly Brief Archives - 2007".
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* Americas *
Another trans-Atlantic partnership announced West Ham United of the EPL have announced a ‘development partnership’ with USL, covering areas such as ‘player identification, player exchange, coaching and club development initiatives’. One component will see West Ham identifying up to 20 youth players from the USL Super Y-League and Super-20 League to attend the club’s Youth Academy for training and evaluation. Battle for MLS franchise in Pacific north-west hots up
A potential rival to the Keston Family has emerged in the quest to bring MLS to the Seattle area. Atletico Seattle Management Co. LLC - a consortium of Los Angeles-based Investors led by Nevin Sanli and including real estate developer Larry Kosmont and former player Frank Leboeuf, are proposing a 25,000-seat soccer stadium in the Puget Sound region. Separately, a group in Portland led by Timbers’ owner Merritt Paulson is trying to win an expansion franchise for the city. European broadcaster continues to push on in North America
Irish based broadcaster Setanta has agreed a deal with EchoStar Communications Dish Network in the US to distribute its 24-hour digital sports channel. Setanta has US rights for live European football including EPL matches as well as rugby and other sports. In addition, Setanta will launch a Canadian soccer channel with extensive rights to live EPL matches in partnership with Rogers Communications. South America to get even more international tournaments?
Positive remarks from FIFA President Sepp Blatter indicate the possibility of Venezuela hosting a future FIFA World Youth Championships following its successful hosting of the Copa America. Also this week, the Brazilian Football Federation formally submitted its proposals to host the FIFA 2014 World Cup. MLS group suggest novel stadium proposal
Press in Milwaukee report that local real estate and sports lawyer Marty Greenberg, who is trying to bring an MLS franchise to the city, is looking into the viability of having a $40m pitch built on a tray that could be moved when motor sports events are being held at the Milwaukee Mile NASCAR track (similar to the Arizona Cardinals' field in Phoenix). US player makes move to Europe!
While all the publicity has been on players moving in the opposite direction, Freddy Adu completed his transfer to Portuguese giants Benfica this week. In addition to the transfer fee between MLS and Benfica, it is believed that through a sell-on clause, the league could receive a percentage of any future transfer if Adu subsequently moves to another team. * Europe *
Scotland takes on the cheats Scottish football is to launch a groundbreaking scheme to punish diving (simulation) using video evidence. Referees will review matches they have officiated and will be able to hand out yellow cards retrospectively. Testing will start from the beginning of this season with the system ‘going live’ from January 1st 2008. Tevez saga finally at an end
Reports in the UK suggest that the Carlos Tevez dispute between MSI/Just Sports and West Ham has been resolved and the player completed a move to Manchester United, after the parties reached an out-of-court agreement. Champions League qualification affects financial figures
Failure to qualify for last seasons Champions League has had a marked effect on the latest annual financial results of Scottish giants Rangers FC. The club made an operating loss of $10m to June 30, 2007 compared to a $9m profit the previous year. Revenue at the club was also down by 4% to $82m compared to $87m in 2006, though net operating expenses fell by 22% to $86m mainly due to outsourcing the club’s retail and merchandising operations. EPL defend their Fit and Proper Persons Test
Responding to criticism from Human Rights Watch this week relating to Thaksin Shinawatra purchase of Manchester City, the EPL defended their Fit and Proper Persons test stating the controls ‘go above and beyond any requirement by company law and are some of the sternest in any UK industry’. Real Asian Academy
Today Real Madrid made a formal announcement that agreement had been reached to launch a Real Madrid Academy in Bali, Indonesia – the club’s first in Asia. The Academy will “offer youngsters between the ages of 9 and 18 from Indonesia and the rest of Asia-Pacific, the opportunity to enrol for professional football training under the guidance of International Real Madrid coaching staff while continuing their top level academic studies.” A new facility is slated to open in August 2008. More stadia plans
Atletico Madrid have agreed a deal to move to La Peineta stadium – planned for the city’s unsuccessful 2012 Olympic bid. The facility will be redeveloped at a cost of $220m for a possible 2016 Olympic bid and the club is expected to move in 2010. Meanwhile EPL team Derby County unveiled plans for a $40m redevelopment of their wider Pride Park stadium complex. A hotel, office space and bars/restaurants are planned in the scheme which Derby hope will commence in 2008. German backs England bid!
Franz Beckenbauer has backed England to secure the 2018 World Cup. Beckenbauer, who helped deliver a successful tournament in Germany, has said that England is the only serious candidate to host the event. "The Premier League at the moment is the best league in Europe and the stadiums are outstanding.” he told the BBC. Ownership and boardroom changes
Polish born contact lens tycoon Waldemar Kita has acquired French club Nantes in a deal believed to be worth close to $14m. Nantes have won the French Championship on 8 occasions but were relegated to Ligue 2 last season. Separately, major Everton shareholder Robert Earl - founder of the Planet Hollywood restaurant chain – has been appointed to the board of the EPL club. “Clubs spending too much” says club Chairman Sunderland Chairman Niall Quinn has blasted EPL clubs for inflating prices in the transfer market by spending too much on average players. Quinn’s Sunderland recently paid $10m for Manchester United’s Kieran Richardson.
* The Weekly Brief is published every Friday and delivered free via e-mail to registered users.
* FMMInternational is a London-based soccer consultancy with offices in
* Interested in using the Weekly Brief for Press/Media Releases, then please contact us via info@fmminternational
* The information contained herein is believed to be correct, but should not be relied upon as such. All financial figures should be seen as indicative only as they may have been converted from another currency.
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