Football Partnerships

By Alex Kotler

Happy New Year… no wait!

Relations between enemy countries Iran and Israel threatened to improve after the Iranian Soccer Federation accidentally sent the Israelis a message wishing them a happy new year. Israel, surprising responded by sending salutations to ‘all the good people of Iran’. Perhaps 2010 will usher in friendly matches between the two? Now that’s optimism.

More on kissing and making up

Can’t we all get along?

The board of directors at the United States Soccer Federation unanimously voted down the motion to sanction either of the United Soccer Leagues or the North American Soccer League, both of which are vying for legitimacy as the United States’ recognized Second Division. As a result, both sides issued statements suggesting that they will work together to reach a compromise. If anything, this is the most encouraging news as the continued fragmentation of lower leagues in the US works to the detriment of future development.

More on kissing and making up

Trying to out-Fox TWC

Time Warner Cable (TWC) and News Corp. have reached a temporary agreement to continue offering subscribers broadcasts of Fox Soccer Channel (FSC), a News Corp. network. The companies were at an impasse for their respective valuations of each subscriber, with TWC demanding $1 per and FSC offering $0.30. The supposed shoo-in for FSC could be GolTV which does not own the rights to provide the same English Premier League fixtures. It is doubtful that, particularly in a World Cup year, that TWC will sever ties.

Click over to EPL Talk to find the right channel

What’d I miss in 2009

Big Apple Soccer writer Michael Lewis reveals his selections for the 29th annual installation of The Mikey Awards, recognizing those around sport for their feats - from the proud and pretty to the poor and paltry. As a sucker for infantile humor, my favorite is the Young Fart of the Year.

Take a whiff of the Mikey’s

“Low spenders” cut one from the payroll

English Premier League side Bolton Wanderers sacked manager Gary Megson on 30 December, despite the club being just five points off the mid-table mark. Hardly a fan favorite, the former Sheffield Wednesday player and Leicester City gaffer claimed to have inherited ‘a mess’ and left the organization in a ‘better state’. It appears to be a victory for supporters, who must frequently stand by mute as politics and business objectives dictate decision-making.

Megson out, somebody in

Ken-ya believe it?

Kenya has been named one of two African nations to be offered the opportunity to co-sponsor this summer’s World Cup by the South African Local Organizing Committee. For $50 million, Kenya will be granted a platform to showcase its worth as a business and investment partner. Is the opportunity more an expression of diplomacy and pan-Africanism or of a shrewd marketing tactic that leverages the hosting of the world’s most-viewed event to draw increased investment in South Africa. Or both?

2010 World Cup to deliver greater pan-Africanism?

Kenya football faces another dispute about who runs the game Kenyan football could face another crisis after a new dispute over who runs the sport in the country broke out.

World governing body Fifa recognises Football Kenya Limited (FKL) but a rival faction, known as the Kenya Football Federation (KFF), is supported by the government.

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By Gilbert Wandera

Gary Rathbone is the Head of Africa for SuperSport. Gilbert Wandera spoke to him after the conclusion of Kenya Premier League (KPL) season.

Question: In SuperSport’s opinion how was the past KPL season?

Answer: It was incredibly positive and we were particularly impressed with the level of organisation, commitment to get things right and the standard of football we saw in the league. So we regard it as a great success although there is still more we can do. This is just the starting point…a platform to build on.

Question: Did you achieve your objective?

Answer: Yes. Our objective was to become actively involved with the league and contribute, as a partner with KPL, to raising the profile and level of excitement and interest in football in Kenya.

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By Rebecca Wanjiku

On Aug. 29, the Kenyan Olympic team will receive 14.5 million shillings (US$215,000) from President Mwai Kibaki, and mobile phone operator Safaricom is one of the main sponsors.

Kenya had its best performance in Beijing since the 1988 Seoul Olympics, winning 14 medals, a feat that has been credited to motivation by the government and the private sector. Safaricom, for example, hosted a dinner for the Kenyan team before it left for China.

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