Football Partnerships

Football Partnerships podcast

Football Partnerships welcomes Amanda Vandervort, Web Coordinator at Women’s Professional Soccer.

Listen here on Football Partnerships, or subscribe to the show via iTunes by searching the podcast directory for ‘Football Partnerships’. Please note that the recording is best heard via iTunes, as some browsers disrupt audio transmission.

 

 Episode 69 [36:34m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (240)

By Alex Kotler

Yellow card! Brown to tackle Premier League

The British government is poised to insert itself into Premier League football, with a series of proposals giving fans first option to buy for-sale clubs and requiring that teams make 25% of shares available for purchase by supporters’ groups.

The Labour manifesto, according to the report by Owen Gibson of The Guardian, is the result of Portsmouth’s financial collapse, the leveraged buyouts of Manchester United and Liverpool and other high-risk ventures. Prime Minister Gordon Blair is now on a ‘collision course’ with the Premier League, and one hopes that he doesn’t come in studs up for the tackle.

Is this unnecessary meddling or should the government be involved?

Read about it in The Guardian

Kardashian is no Bridge over troubled water

More important than an intervention by Gordon Brown is knowing with certainty that US reality television-star Kim Kardashian is not dating Manchester City defender Wayne Bridge.

While we try to keep it strictly business here on Football Partnerships, this story was to good not to give it press. Having recently split, again, from Super Bowl winner and New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush, Kardashian supposedly responded to the rumors of her new beau by revealing that she had no idea who Wayne Bridge was.

Apparently, this match is not quite the same one orchestrated by Cristiano Ronaldo’s handlers who had the Portuguese shopping in Beverly Hills with Paris Hilton.

Read about it in TMZ

Hang up! The line is tapped

Following the arrests of 15 people in Germany last November suspected of fixing over 200 matches in Europe, a further 40 were taken into custody in Turkey this past week.

Of those accused are former Turkish international Arif Erdem, now coach of Istanbul Buyuksehir Belediyespor, and supposed ringleader Ante Sapina, who served time in Berlin for bribing German referee Robert Hoyzer.

How widespread is match-fixing? Does it happen where you live?

Read the report by Tim Mansel in the BBC

Seeing Blue. Seeing Red.

On American shores, Women’s Professional Soccer side Sky Blue FC and Major League Soccer franchise New York Red Bulls have taken different approaches to their marketing campaigns.

Seasoned PR and communications specialist Joe Favorito takes a look at each organization’s marketing approach and the challenges faced.

What is your brand’s strategy? Do you work from the community up or from the top down?

Read the original article

Platini pulls reigns on spending

UEFA president and ardent “anti-financial doping” advocate Michel Platini looks set to impose a plan designed to reduce and regulate spending by European-based football teams.

Willie Gannon, a featured columnist for the Bleacher Report, distills the report and isolates the numbers worth knowing. Meanwhile, Platini intends to run for a second UEFA term.

Did you know that debt owned by the English Premier League is almost four times greater than La Liga’s debt of £858 million?

Grab a seat in the Bleachers

Football Partnerships podcast

Football Partnerships welcomes Stephen Constantine, Head Coach of Apep Pitsilia.

Listen here on Football Partnerships, or subscribe to the show via iTunes by searching the podcast directory for ‘Football Partnerships’. Please note that the recording is best heard via iTunes, as some browsers disrupt audio transmission.

 

 Episode 68: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (144)

By Alex Kotler

Relief: MLS and MLSPU reach agreement

Major League Soccer and the Major League Soccer Players Union have announced that an agreement, in principle, has been reached and that the 2010 will commence as scheduled.

While details of the agreement are not yet public, both sides announced their satisfaction and reaffirmed their respective commitments to growing the league.

Said MLS Commissioner Don Garber: “This new agreement allows us to work with our players to continue our mutual efforts to build the sport of soccer in North America. We worked hard during the past few months to develop a new agreement that addressed many of the players’ most important issues and look forward to a meaningful and productive new relationship over the next five years.”

“The Union is happy with this agreement as it addresses the core issue of players’ rights and we look forward to working cooperatively with the League going foward,” said Bob Foose, Executive Director of the Union.

What is your opinion? Will this be a temporary fix until 2014 or does it represent a solid foundation for the continued growth of MLS and domestic player development?

Read about it on MLSnet

Red Knights take page out of Barcelona manual

The Red Knights, a Manchester United supporters’ group pursuing a buyout of the Glazer family, are modeling their bid after Barcelona FC.

According to a report by SportBusiness, a £1.25 billion bid is set to be tabled by June. Details of the proposal suggest that around 30 wealthy investors would take control of Manchester United and later sell shares to fans - a structure similar to that of Spanish rivals Barcelona.

Although Manchester United chief executive David Gill has voiced his support for the current owners, who own his employment contract, the movement is gaining momentum and increasing credibility.

What are your thoughts? Is this a costly and futile effort or just the sort that football needs to remained grounded?

Meanwhile, despite all criticism levied on United’s ownership, the club announced a third overseas sponsor in one week - with MTN Group joining Telekom Malaysia and Turkish Airlines.

Read about the Red Knights in SportBusiness

Read about the sponsorship agreement in SportBusiness

BSkyB, MSG, ESPN put on their funky goggles

British Sky Broadcasting Group announced plans to launch Europe’s first 3-D television channel on April 3, starting with a match between Manchester United and Chelsea FC on Sky 3D.

In New York, MSG network - which broadcasts New York Red Bulls matches, along with New York Rangers hockey and New York Knicks basketball - will air an event this spring. ESPN will follow suit during the World Cup this June.

Are you ready for the 3-D invasion?

Read about it in MediaBuyerPlanner

Thinking of el futuro

Sixteen years in advance, Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has announced his country’s plans to host the 2026 World Cup.

The nation won the right to host the 1986 World Cup, yet withdrew due to lack of funds.

Is it too early to think about 2026?

Read about it in USA Today

Preston NE taps PUMA to be kit supplier

Preston North End FC has announced a three-year deal with PUMA to serve as the official supplier of the technical and replica kits and training wear for the club.

Genesis Sports, PUMA’s licensee for PRO Teamsports for the United Kingdom and Ireland, will make apparel available over the coming months.

Read the release, and lots of quotes, in euFootball.biz

Football Partnerships podcast

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, Football Partnerships proudly airs Ringer, the hit single by Irish band the Fanberries.

Listen here on Football Partnerships, or subscribe to the show via iTunes by searching the podcast directory for ‘Football Partnerships’. Please note that the recording is best heard via iTunes, as some browsers disrupt audio transmission.

 

 Standard Podcast: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (132)