***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (9 Viewers)

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Current odds of making the Champion's League, using best odds available at Oddschecker:

City	  96.6%Arsenal	  90.4%United	  82.2%Liverpool 47.8%Spurs	  40.2%Chelsea	  16.7%Leicester 10.0%Everton	   6.7%Soton	   4.8%Palace	   2.5%West Ham   2.0%

 

[Sebowski]

Current odds of making the Champion's League, using best odds available at Oddschecker:

City 96.6%Arsenal 90.4%United 82.2%Liverpool 47.8%Spurs 40.2%Chelsea 16.7%Leicester 10.0%Everton 6.7%Soton 4.8%Palace 2.5%West Ham 2.0%

That stat is always so important until the season is over and everyone makes fun of teams for be happy they got in to Champions.

 

[Sammy3469]

IMG and SUM win broadcasting rights for Copa:

The joint bid by IMG and Soccer United Marketing, or SUM, a subsidiary of Major League Soccer, won a sponsorship and broadcast tender for the Copa America Centenario. The group is offering a guarantee of a little under $20 million with any remaining profits split between the organizers and the rights holders, said a person familiar with the deal who was not authorized to speak publicly. A previous deal - now scrapped amid the ongoing corruption probe -- was worth $112.5 million.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-12-02/img-wins-rights-to-biggest-u-s-soccer-event-since-1994-cup

 

[CletiusMaximus]

I didn't see this one coming --> Valencia appoint Gary Neville as new manager.

Phil has been at Valencia since this summer, and was appointed assistant manager earlier this week. They both have a connection to the owner, Peter Lim, through their joint ownership of Salford City (together with Giggs, Scholes and Butt).

 

[Tom Hagen]

Current odds of making the Champion's League, using best odds available at Oddschecker:

City 96.6%Arsenal 90.4%United 82.2%Liverpool 47.8%Spurs 40.2%Chelsea 16.7%Leicester 10.0%Everton 6.7%Soton 4.8%Palace 2.5%West Ham 2.0%

If I were a betting man I'd put some money on the Foxes at those odds.

 

[NewlyRetired]

IMG and SUM win broadcasting rights for Copa:

The joint bid by IMG and Soccer United Marketing, or SUM, a subsidiary of Major League Soccer, won a sponsorship and broadcast tender for the Copa America Centenario. The group is offering a guarantee of a little under $20 million with any remaining profits split between the organizers and the rights holders, said a person familiar with the deal who was not authorized to speak publicly. A previous deal - now scrapped amid the ongoing corruption probe -- was worth $112.5 million.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-12-02/img-wins-rights-to-biggest-u-s-soccer-event-since-1994-cup

so does this means that now SUM and IMG have to turn around and sell the broadcast rights to someone?

The difference between $20m and the $122.5 million is striking.

 

[Sammy3469]

IMG and SUM win broadcasting rights for Copa:

The joint bid by IMG and Soccer United Marketing, or SUM, a subsidiary of Major League Soccer, won a sponsorship and broadcast tender for the Copa America Centenario. The group is offering a guarantee of a little under $20 million with any remaining profits split between the organizers and the rights holders, said a person familiar with the deal who was not authorized to speak publicly. A previous deal - now scrapped amid the ongoing corruption probe -- was worth $112.5 million.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-12-02/img-wins-rights-to-biggest-u-s-soccer-event-since-1994-cup

so does this means that now SUM and IMG have to turn around and sell the broadcast rights to someone?

The difference between $20m and the $122.5 million is striking.

40 million was bribes....

My guess is yes, but I think the unsaid part of this is that they are probably already working with ESPN and/or Fox.

 

[NewlyRetired]

IMG and SUM win broadcasting rights for Copa:

The joint bid by IMG and Soccer United Marketing, or SUM, a subsidiary of Major League Soccer, won a sponsorship and broadcast tender for the Copa America Centenario. The group is offering a guarantee of a little under $20 million with any remaining profits split between the organizers and the rights holders, said a person familiar with the deal who was not authorized to speak publicly. A previous deal - now scrapped amid the ongoing corruption probe -- was worth $112.5 million.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-12-02/img-wins-rights-to-biggest-u-s-soccer-event-since-1994-cup

so does this means that now SUM and IMG have to turn around and sell the broadcast rights to someone?

The difference between $20m and the $122.5 million is striking.

40 million was bribes....

My guess is yes, but I think the unsaid part of this is that they are probably already working with ESPN and/or Fox.

And Univision too for Spanish.

Summer is a great time for either ESPN or Fox in terms of open windows for broadcasting.

I wonder if they will split the games? I think there are only 31 games total in the tournament (assuming no 3rd place game) so one station (per language) should be able to handle it easy enough.

 

[Sammy3469]

IMG and SUM win broadcasting rights for Copa:

The joint bid by IMG and Soccer United Marketing, or SUM, a subsidiary of Major League Soccer, won a sponsorship and broadcast tender for the Copa America Centenario. The group is offering a guarantee of a little under $20 million with any remaining profits split between the organizers and the rights holders, said a person familiar with the deal who was not authorized to speak publicly. A previous deal - now scrapped amid the ongoing corruption probe -- was worth $112.5 million.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-12-02/img-wins-rights-to-biggest-u-s-soccer-event-since-1994-cup

so does this means that now SUM and IMG have to turn around and sell the broadcast rights to someone?

The difference between $20m and the $122.5 million is striking.

40 million was bribes....

My guess is yes, but I think the unsaid part of this is that they are probably already working with ESPN and/or Fox.

And Univision too for Spanish.

Summer is a great time for either ESPN or Fox in terms of open windows for broadcasting.

I wonder if they will split the games? I think there are only 31 games total in the tournament (assuming no 3rd place game) so one station (per language) should be able to handle it easy enough.

Well with ESPN doing all 51 Euro games (June 10-July 10), their calendar is booked for afternoon games. My guess is it ends up being 75% Fox and 25% ESPN or something like that with them alternating nights, but ESPN may just pass at this point.

 

[NewlyRetired]

IMG and SUM win broadcasting rights for Copa:

The joint bid by IMG and Soccer United Marketing, or SUM, a subsidiary of Major League Soccer, won a sponsorship and broadcast tender for the Copa America Centenario. The group is offering a guarantee of a little under $20 million with any remaining profits split between the organizers and the rights holders, said a person familiar with the deal who was not authorized to speak publicly. A previous deal - now scrapped amid the ongoing corruption probe -- was worth $112.5 million.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-12-02/img-wins-rights-to-biggest-u-s-soccer-event-since-1994-cup

so does this means that now SUM and IMG have to turn around and sell the broadcast rights to someone?

The difference between $20m and the $122.5 million is striking.

40 million was bribes....

My guess is yes, but I think the unsaid part of this is that they are probably already working with ESPN and/or Fox.

And Univision too for Spanish.

Summer is a great time for either ESPN or Fox in terms of open windows for broadcasting.

I wonder if they will split the games? I think there are only 31 games total in the tournament (assuming no 3rd place game) so one station (per language) should be able to handle it easy enough.

Well with ESPN doing all 51 Euro games (June 10-July 10), their calendar is booked for afternoon games. My guess is it ends up being 75% Fox and 25% ESPN or something like that with them alternating nights, but ESPN may just pass at this point.

I forgot it was going to overlap with the Euros. So yeah, Fox will likely be the main broadcaster.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Jesus, next summer is going to be a international feast with those two big tournaments both running.

 

[JMon348]

Cazorla out 3 months

Coquelin out 3 months

Alexis out a little over a month

Arteta out a little over a month

Wilshere with no return timetable

Welbeck with no return timetable

:X

 

[roadkill1292]

Depth perception issues.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Can to D-Studge? Can to D-Studge!

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Is this a first-choice lineup for Soton?

Trying to stay skeptical about Klopp, but 1-3 at Chelsea, 1-4 at City and 1-5 at Soton are solid wins.

Also, WTH is Connor Randall?

 

[roadkill1292]

Is this a first-choice lineup for Soton?

Trying to stay skeptical about Klopp, but 1-3 at Chelsea, 1-4 at City and 1-5 at Soton are solid wins.

Also, WTH is Connor Randall?

6-1 now, for crissakes. I don't know the starting lineup but the Guardian said it was pretty much a starting one except for Caulker being in.

That's three straight clunkers for Saints.

 

[Sebowski]

Is this a first-choice lineup for Soton?

Trying to stay skeptical about Klopp, but 1-3 at Chelsea, 1-4 at City and 1-5 at Soton are solid wins.

Also, WTH is Connor Randall?

6-1 now, for crissakes. I don't know the starting lineup but the Guardian said it was pretty much a starting one except for Caulker being in.

That's three straight clunkers for Saints.

No chance they don't take care of Villa on the weekend though, right? I have them queued up in Survivor.

 

[roadkill1292]

Is this a first-choice lineup for Soton?

Trying to stay skeptical about Klopp, but 1-3 at Chelsea, 1-4 at City and 1-5 at Soton are solid wins.

Also, WTH is Connor Randall?

6-1 now, for crissakes. I don't know the starting lineup but the Guardian said it was pretty much a starting one except for Caulker being in.

That's three straight clunkers for Saints.

No chance they don't take care of Villa on the weekend though, right? I have them queued up in Survivor.

One would think. But morale is low and Koeman has reportedly gone to the board and asked them to stop selling players for a year. Mane and Pelle are next to be poached (Mane getting a sniff from ManUre and Pelle back to Italy).

 

[Sebowski]

Cazorla out 3 months

Coquelin out 3 months

Alexis out a little over a month

Arteta out a little over a month

Wilshere with no return timetable

Welbeck with no return timetable

:X

Recall Gideon?

 

[shader]

Is this a first-choice lineup for Soton?

Trying to stay skeptical about Klopp, but 1-3 at Chelsea, 1-4 at City and 1-5 at Soton are solid wins.

Also, WTH is Connor Randall?

Why would anyone be skeptical about Klopp? He's obviously an incredible manager. He's turned a team with no confidence and a complete inability to score goals, into an extremely threatening squad. And he's done it with no transfer windows in less than a month.

Unbelievable turnaround.

 

[El Floppo]

went to Antigua over thanksgiving. kicked around on a beach with some locals on sunday... all of them huge EPL fans, which makes a kind of sense considering it was an English island. funny hearing their origin stories for the teams they follow- almost always picked as the rival of a team their brother/friend/dad liked. have had similar talks with folk from T&T. emile heskey's folks were from antigua, so a lot of them are fans of whatever team he played for (sounds a little familiar... )

 

[Native]

Depth perception issues.

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Rafa fielded an ineligible player in the Copa Del Rey today. Real may be DQ'd. Just a little something for our resident FSW fans.

 

[Slapdash]

Rafa fielded an ineligible player in the Copa Del Rey today. Real may be DQ'd. Just a little something for our resident FSW fans.

RFEF following through on that would be interesting.

 

[Sebowski]

Is this a first-choice lineup for Soton?

Trying to stay skeptical about Klopp, but 1-3 at Chelsea, 1-4 at City and 1-5 at Soton are solid wins.

Also, WTH is Connor Randall?

6-1 now, for crissakes. I don't know the starting lineup but the Guardian said it was pretty much a starting one except for Caulker being in.

That's three straight clunkers for Saints.

No chance they don't take care of Villa on the weekend though, right? I have them queued up in Survivor.

One would think. But morale is low and Koeman has reportedly gone to the board and asked them to stop selling players for a year. Mane and Pelle are next to be poached (Mane getting a sniff from ManUre and Pelle back to Italy).

Doesn't inspire a lot of confidence. May have to switch it.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Rafa fielded an ineligible player in the Copa Del Rey today. Real may be DQ'd. Just a little something for our resident FSW fans.

RFEF following through on that would be interesting.

I'm sure it'll get "sorted out."

 

[Tom Hagen]

There is a story on Deadspin that indicates Nasri offered to help blackmail Valbuena first but the blackmailers didn't think it would work because Valbuena hates him. I think we have reached peak Nasri.

 

[Sebowski]

There is a story on Deadspin that indicates Nasri offered to help blackmail Valbuena first but the blackmailers didn't think it would work because Valbuena hates him. I think we have reached peak Nasri.

Awesome.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

Swiss authorities are arresting more dudes!

 

[Sammy3469]

Swiss authorities are arresting more dudes!

The acting President of CONCACAF and President of COMNEBOL no less. Sounds like these are at the request of the FBI.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Swiss authorities are arresting more dudes!

The acting President of CONCACAF and President of COMNEBOL no less. Sounds like these are at the request of the FBI.

This means the current (Hawit) and former (Webb) presidents of CONCACAF and the current and two preceding presidents of CONMEBOL are all under indictment in the US. More than a dozen arrested this morning. Loretta is holding yet another presser this afternoon.

 

[Sammy3469]

Pretty sure I read this makes 3 for 3 for both not just COMNEBOL.I'm also pretty sure the SUM announcement was the Justice Dept saying they are the only clean marketing organization in the Western Hemisphere.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Pretty sure I read this makes 3 for 3 for both not just COMNEBOL.I'm also pretty sure the SUM announcement was the Justice Dept saying they are the only clean marketing organization in the Western Hemisphere.

do you think IMG is clean as well?

 

[Sammy3469]

Pretty sure I read this makes 3 for 3 for both not just COMNEBOL.I'm also pretty sure the SUM announcement was the Justice Dept saying they are the only clean marketing organization in the Western Hemisphere.

do you think IMG is clean as well?

I mean I guess it depends on your definition of "clean". They do produce most of the EPL shows/feeds, some of the ESPN studio shows, and had some relationship in producing the host broadcast services for the last 3 WCs. So while probably not 100% clean, I also don't think they are in the business of overtly bribing people for business.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

So we're bringing in the agents and marketing firms to add a layer of integrity between our associations and broadcast companies.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

How do we make this happen?

Men in Blazers ‏@MenInBlazers 3m3 minutes ago

Love @beINSPORTS to have @RayHudson commentate live on FBI raid

 

[Sammy3469]

So good ole Jeffrey Webb sung like a canary. Also sounds like the only reason Blatter wasn't indicted today was the US is letting the Swiss do all local individuals and most likely FIFA itself.

Sounds like FIFA's legal bills will continue to skyrocket.

 

[Sammy3469]

There are 24 un-named co-conspirators in the indictment, including additional members of FIFA ExCo and officials in CAF & AFC. pp.32-26

https://twitter.com/RogerPielkeJr/status/672506122876522497

Here's the indictment: http://www.justice.gov/opa/file/796966/download

 

[NewlyRetired]

I was bummed to read Garber's interview this week where he said that all of these issues found won't lead to removing Qatar as host, in his opinion.

 

[Sammy3469]

Co Conspirator 17 Is Valcke

It's less clear, but I think 14 is Blatter, though he's only mentioned once in relation to the 10 million dollar bride for the 2010 SA vote.

 

[Sammy3469]

DOJ says convicted defendants have agreed to repay $190M. A separate $100M-plus has been frozen in US and abroad. That's a TON of money.

https://twitter.com/AndrewDasNYT/status/672514558075011072

 

[El Floppo]

DOJ says convicted defendants have agreed to repay $190M. A separate $100M-plus has been frozen in US and abroad. That's a TON of money.

https://twitter.com/AndrewDasNYT/status/672514558075011072

I was about to say that's a drop in the bucket... but yeah, $290mil is a bit of money.

 

[Kafka]

There is a story on Deadspin that indicates Nasri offered to help blackmail Valbuena first but the blackmailers didn't think it would work because Valbuena hates him. I think we have reached peak Nasri.

All he is missing is a mustache to twirl...seriously. This guy is the ultimate cretin. Be it French national team, Arsenal, delusional psycho girlfriend, this guy checks all the boxes when it comes to talented, smarmy, vile piece of merda...(not to mention his goal eliminating Roma from UCL last year). He is a creep.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Sitting here just now I said out loud, to no one, "God -- they're really going to get them all. I can't believe it!" This whole thing is such a rare moment of good.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Not too hard to figure out who they're talking to here...

And the DOJ wasn't done there. "Let me make it clear and amplify the message even more," said prosecutor Robert Capers. "We are progressing in our efforts to root out what has been decades of systematic corruption. So, we say to you, enough is enough. If you are involved in or have the desire to partake, now is not the time to hold power or seek to gain power. Now is the time to step away and make room for a new generation of leader who we hope will give soccer and its millions of fans the leadership they richly deserve. We look forward to continuing our work with our international partners. There is more work to be done and we aim to do it, and we hope it becomes an increasingly global effort."

 

[NewlyRetired]

From Ives

========

On the field come Sunday, all eyes will be on the MLS Cup between the Columbus Crew and the Portland Timbers.

Off the field, though, all eyes apparently will be on Don Garber as he is set to introduce a major addition to the league.

According to La Afición, the MLS commissioner is expected to introduce the signing of Carlos Vela. The Mexican international is expected to earn $8 million per season, according to the report, and begin play in the league next March.

This development comes on the heels of Vela’s agent, Eduardo Hernandez, saying that a move to MLS may not be in the “immediate” future of the 27-year-old El Tri winger. Hernandez will reportedly head to Columbus this weekend to finalize a deal that would see Vela move from Real Sociedad to MLS.

Colorado Rapids sporting director Claudio Lopez apparently already expressed his interest in acquiring the talents of Vela. The Rapids have discovery rights to Vela, so they would have first crack at signing him.

However, La Afición states that the San Jose Earthquakes, the New York Red Bulls and the Chicago Fire are all in the running to add Vela. He is reported to be leaning towards joining the Fire.

 

[Christo]

I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

If Liverpool extend Sakho and Mignolet as expected/reported they'll have basically all of their meaningful players locked up for 4-5 years (including the current season), and all of them are 25 or younger today except Lovren, Lallana and Mignolet.

15	Daniel Sturridge        FW	25	20199	Christian Benteke	FW	24	201911	Roberto Firmino		FW	23	202028	Danny Ings		FW	22	202027	Divock Origi		FW	20	201920	Adam Lallana		AM	27	201910	Philippe Coutinho	AM	22	202033	Jordon Ibe		AM	19	202014	Jordan Henderson        CM	24	202023	Emre Can                CM	21	201946	Jordan Rossiter		CM	18	201918	Alberto Moreno		LB	22	20192	Nathaniel Clyne		RB	24	20206	Dejan Lovren            CB	26	201917	Mamadou Sakho		CB	25	201812	Joe Gomez		CB	18	202022	Simon Mignolet		GK	27	2018

Another CB (Skrtel is 30) and maybe another wing mid (upgrade over Lallana?) might be the only buying they need to do in the next year or two. It's a good young core if they can stay together long enough to mature as a unit.

 

[LAUNCH]

Real Madrid have been kicked out of the Copa del Rey for fielding an ineligible player

 

[Sammy3469]

Sounds like Beckham is somewhat close to a privately funded stadium in Miami

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article47939140.html