Football Partnerships

By Alex Kotler

69 days, over 690,000 tickets available

With the 2010 World Cup rapidly approaching, sources report that nearly one third of available tickets for soccer’s signature tournament remain unsold. Equally disturbing, over 375,000 tickets have been returned by sponsors and 650,000 by the world’s football associations.

The news, published by the Mirror, reflects the economic downtown and the inflationary costs of flights and accommodations for visitors to South Africa.

Will this affect the spirit of the competition? Will FIFA give away these tickets to the South African people? Voice your opinion.

Read about it in the Mirror

MLS DP @ 3 OK’d

With the career of David Beckham in jeopardy, Major League Soccer is opening doors for more high profile stars to populate its teams by increasing the number of designated player spots allotted each side from one to two.

The move, welcomed by some, demonstrates the desire to establish parity with some of the world’s top leagues. Others, however, see it as a continuance of the notion that MLS is a retirement home for past-prime players. Rumors of Thierry Henry and Jens Lehmann joining the New York Red Bulls after the 2010 World Cup are strong evidence of the latter.

Can MLS make strides in this manner?

Read it from an American perspective

From the bottom of my art

Brazilian football club Vasco da Gama is running a promotion that has some fans inked up.

According to a report in USA, Vasco is giving away a free jersey to anyone who agrees to get the team logo tattooed to their bodies. The initiative is part of a bid to break a Guinness World Record.

Would you- Should I even ask?

Get inked up Vasco fans!

Can FIFA claim ‘2010′ as its intellectual property?

Three South African calendar manufacturers are embroiled in a legal battle with FIFA over their ability to sell calendars bearing the date of this year’s World Cup, 2010.

While FIFA’s spokesperson, Delia Hunter, argues that football’s governing body must protect its commercial rights, patent attorney Richard Track claims that a date is regarded as ‘common goods’ and is therefore not protected under copyright law.

This matter follows a similar case involving Kulula.com over an advertisement in which the air carrier referred to itself at the ‘unofficial national carrier of the you-know-what’.

Should FIFA be able to protect the date of the you-know-what?

From the Pretoria News

Leiweke added to USA Bid Committee Board

Tim Leiweke, President & CEO of AEG, has reportedly accepted an offer to join the Board of Directors for the USA Bid Committee, which is campaigning to bring the 2018 or 2022 World Cup to the United States.

In support of the appointment, Chairman of the USA Bid Committee and President of US Soccer Sunil Gulati said: “AEG has an unparalleled history with soccer in the United States and Tim has played an important role in developing the sport’s legacy in this country for many years. He is a tireless worker whose international experience and industry connections will be invaluable assets to the USA Bid Committee moving forward.”

Are you surprised by the appointment? Was it a no-brainer?

Read more about it in the Potomac Soccer Wire

By Kevin McCullagh

The German football federation (DFB) plans to increase the number of security staff looking after the national team at next year’s World Cup due to concerns about South Africa’s crime rate.

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By Tracy McVeigh and Savious Kwinika

Calls are growing for South Africa to legalise prostitution ahead of next year’s football World Cup in an effort to limit HIV infection among millions of fans visiting the country for the tournament.

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By KGOMOTSO MOKOENA

Despite withdrawing from the race for the Safa presidency, Jordaan could still get soccer’s top job.

Kirsten Nematanadani, who assumed office this week, could step down to become CEO or take on another senior role, allowing Jordaan to stand for election unopposed.

Read the rest of the article

Football Partnerships podcast

Football Partnerships welcomes Misha Sher, Head of Business Development at Soccerex, to the podcast.

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.

 

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