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.

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* Americas *
South American team to break into MLS?
Argentinean giants Boca Juniors have confirmed they are looking at the possibility of a ‘Boca team’ playing in the MLS. Any deal may involve a franchise in Arizona, Miami, Los Angeles or New York. Boca would lend its name to a local franchise, in return for a reported 10-15% equity in the new team.

 

MLS in PA?
A group of investors led by Pennsylvania Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi is talking to MLS officials and local state lawmakers about bringing a professional team to Philadelphia. The deal would involve a $100m soccer specific stadium being built in the town of Chester, a suburb south of the city.

 

Joorabchian in the headlines again
British-Iranian businessman Kia Joorabchian is involved in further controversy after the partnership between Brazilian club Corinthians and MSI was terminated by the club. Joorabchian, who has a warrant out for his arrest on money-laundering charges in Brazil, is threatening to take legal action to recover $25m compensation for the company. In England, Joorabchian has started legal proceedings against West Ham as part of the Tevez transfer saga.

 

Red Bull Park stake sold?
In a deal that could be worth around $50m, AEG is reported to be selling its 50% stake in Red Bull Park to Red Bull GmbH, according to a report in the New Jersey Herald News. AEG sold the then NY/NJ Metrostars franchise to Red Bull in March 2006.

 

U20 World Cup closes
With Argentina winning the competition for the sixth time by beating the Czech Republic in the final, and despite the poor showing from the host country, the FIFA U20 World Cup in Canada was deemed a great success. FIFA announced that the tournament officially set the record for the highest cumulative attendance in FIFA U-20 World Cup history with more than 1.2m spectators at 52 matches, surpassing the previous record set in Mexico in 1983. It was also the largest single-sport event ever held in Canada.
 

* Europe *
US owners look at naming rights
Tom Hicks and George Gillett, the new American owners of EPL team Liverpool FC, are reportedly keen to sign a naming rights deal for the club’s proposed new stadium according to the Liverpool Daily Post. In the same week that the club presented plans for its new 60,000 capacity stadium there is speculation that the club will look to raise $200m for the naming rights. The team has played at its current stadium, Anfield, since its foundation in 1892.

 

Takeover warning!
As reports continue to link Stan Kroenke with a bid for EPL giants Arsenal, the club MD Keith Edelman has gone public to warn fans that overseas investors will look to make money from EPL clubs - and will not necessarily invest significant amounts into the squad. There was speculation earlier in the week that F1 racing supremo Bernie Ecclestone was considering investing in the Gunners.

 

Latest English team takeover news
The failed takeover of Championship club Sheffield Wednesday by Paul Gregg has been blamed on the supporters trust group, ‘Wednesdayite’, for not agreeing to sell its shares without conditions. Meanwhile Coventry City’s proposed takeover by Manhattan Sports Capital Partners continues to move forward, albeit slowly according to the club’s MD Paul Fletcher.

 

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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.

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