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Weekly Brief - 2007-12-15

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".    

 

* Americas *                                                 December 14 2007

Funding For Philly Stadium Still In Doubt
Although the Pennsylvania Senate adjourned without approving funding for an MLS stadium in Chester, Republican Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi expressed optimism the state would put together a $45m stadium-financing package in time to secure an expansion franchise. But moments later, Democratic Govenor Rendell chided Senate Republicans, saying they had hampered the stadium financing as a deadline loomed. "It seems to me there is this mania about borrowing that has gripped the Senate Republican caucus." Source: the Philadelphia Inquirer

Stadium Funding Shortfall For RSL?
Real Salt Lake celebrated the ‘topping out’ of its 20,000-seat soccer stadium Monday, but public funds for the $110m facility located in Sandy soon could bottom out. The team has spent nearly all the $35m of Salt Lake County hotel taxes allotted by the Legislature earlier this year, but the additional $10m Sandy pledged to RSL could fall short if - as expected - the Salt Lake County Council declines to forfeit its share of the increased property taxes that will be generated by the stadium's development. Source: Salt Lake Tribune

Seattle Season Ticket Sales Top 10,000
Even though they will not begin play until 2009, MLS’s Seattle franchise has sold more than 10,000 season ticket memberships since November 13th. “We set very lofty goals when we announced the team less than a month ago,” said owner Joe Roth. “The response from the local community continues to energize and strengthen our commitment to create a team and fan experience unlike any other.” Source: Seattlesounders.net

Kansas City Stadium Funding Nearly In Place
Though not fully out of the woods, the Kansas City, Mo. city council voted unanimously to approve a development project that paves the way for the 18,500-seat stadium in south Kansas City. Government officials in attendance vowed their support to help get the state funding, which includes about $31m in state tax increment financing and tax credits, approved before Jan. 31, 2008. Source: MLSnet

Miami Unveils Stadium Plans
The City of Miami has unveiled tentative plans to build a soccer stadium, which would seat 25,000 and cost $100m, half of which would reportedly come ‘from MLS’.  The proposal is a part of a larger project to build a new baseball stadium and as well as stores and restaurants in Little Havana after the Orange Bowl is demolished. Source: the Miami Herald

DC Sign Veron, FC Dallas Drops Denilson
According to Sports Illustrated, Juan Veron and D.C. United have agreed to a $3-4 million a year deal that will be signed and officially announced next week. The 32-year-old Argentinean midfielder, who has played for Manchester United and Chelsea, led his current club Estudiantes de la Platato to the Argentinean championship a year ago. Meanwhile, Denilson, Brazilian World Cup-winning midfielder, brought to FC Dallas as a designated player in August, was one of 3 players who did not have their contracts renewed for 2008.  Head coach Steve Morrow did not rule out his return next season, albeit at a lower salary. Sources: Sports Illustrated and MLSnet

MLS and SUM Name Executives
MLS and Soccer United Marketing (SUM) announced that Nelson Rodriguez has been named Senior VP of Strategic Business Development and William Wilson has been named Executive VP of International Business & Special Events. A long-time MLS and SUM employee with extensive experience, Rodriguez will work closely with Garber and MLS President Mark Abbott in areas such as strategic planning, new business development and alliance development. Wilson, who has 16 years of experience including executive positions with the NFL, Champ Car World Series and Arena Football, will manage international partnerships and properties and oversee the special events group. Source: Soccer America

* Europe *

Blatter Sees Opening For Foreign Quotas
FIFA president Sepp Blatter believes that the European Union's Lisbon Treaty, which was signed by all 27 nations that comprise the EU in the Portuguese capital this week, will allow the game's governing body to cap foreign players in domestic leagues. “We have to maintain, if not the local idea of a club then at least the national identity of a club. It does not look good if you have a club in a country and there are no national players on the team.” Source: the Guardian

ESPN Interested In UK EPL Rights
ABC/ESPN president George Bodenheimer told the Financial Times that his all-sports network is “absolutely interested” in acquiring UK broadcast rights to the EPL to boost its European audience. “We're going to work on getting as local as we can. We want to deliver product that is relevant in each country. It's a country-by-country approach. We want to be investors wherever the top sports product is." Source: BBC

Magnusson Steps Down 
Eggert Magnusson has stepped down as chairman of West Ham United and sold his 5% stake in EPL club. Magnusson, who was part of the Icelandic consortium that bought the Hammers a year ago, had already resigned as executive chairman in September. Owner Bjorgolfur Gudmundsson, who purchased Magnusson’s shares, has become chairman and executive chairman. Source: The Guardian

Coventry Agree To Sale, Derby Move Closer To Investment
Coventry City have accepted the takeover bid by Ray Ranson's group SISU Capital, preventing them from entering Administration (equivalent to Chapter 11 in the US). If the Sky Blues had not completed a deal and proven their solvency by 1600 GMT Friday, they could have faced a 10-point deduction in the Championship. “The successful conclusion of this transaction ensures the club's future is secure,” said a Coventry statement. Meanwhile Derby County chairman Adam Pearson is in discussions with American investors over a deal that could clear the club's $50m debts and leave manager Paul Jewell with funds to spend during the up-coming January transfer window. Pearson revealed that the matter will be discussed at a board meeting Monday. “They are a very good potential partner.” said Pearson. Source: BBC

France To Bid For EURO 2016
France plan to submit a bid to host the 2016 European championship by early 2009, Sports Minister Bernard Laporte told French sports daily L'Equipe after French Football Federation officials met last week to present the project. “We wish France to be a candidate. We want Euro 2016.” Source: Yahoo! Sport

Everton Affiliate With Facebook
Everton has become the first EPL club to officially affiliate itself with Facebook.  The Everton Application allows users to view the very latest news and information on ticketing. Head of Communications Mark Rowan said: “Facebook is one of the most popular social networking sites on the web. As The People's Club, we felt it was only right that Everton provide supporters with the opportunity to interact directly with the Club via their own Facebook page.” Source: Evertonfc.com

* Rest of the World *

President Concedes Asian Cup Disappointment
Despite Iraq’s inspirational triumph, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Mohamed Bin Hammam conceded that July's Asian Cup did not meet expectations. “In terms of organization, media attention, how it was received outside and technical standards, the Asian Cup showed good progress, probably better than in 2004 (in China). But, it was far away from what we believe a good Asian Cup should be.” Attendance was poor and in the run-up to the finals, the AFC faced numerous challenges, such as being forced to prod countries who failed to promote the event, juggling different national associations with their own agendas, and accommodating competing countries that refused to play at certain venues. Source: Shanghai Daily
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* 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.