World Cup and European leagues

[Mr. Ypsi]

£80 million transfer fee, it was.  Wow.

I've never been sold on CR myself.  Yes, he undoubtedly has skills.  But too often (and a LOT down the stretch this season) he has seemed to be more concerned about himself than about the team game.  No tracking back, for example.

I suspect that some of the MU players (Wayne Rooney, for example) were getting tired of playing a support role.  My guess is the Man U locker room may be a happier place.  And you know that Ferguson would have already been putting things in order--this has been in the works for a long time.

As with Gareth Barry, we can be grateful that it didn't drag on for another two months. 

So that's £135 million Real has forked out for two players.  Again, wow.

They're gonna give the Yankees a 'miser complex'!

[sac]

They're gonna give the Yankees a 'miser complex'!

According to Forbes, the most valuable sports franchises in the world

1.  Manchester United
2. Dallas Cowboys
3. Washington Redskins
4. New England Patriots
5. New York Yankees
6. Real Madrid
7. Arsenal
8. New York Giants
9. New York Jets
10. Houston Texans

[Joe Wally]

They could have had me for a quarter of that, okay maybe a third.   

[Joe Wally]

According to Forbes, the most valuable sports franchises in the world

1.  Manchester United
2. Dallas Cowboys
3. Washington Redskins
4. New England Patriots
5. New York Yankees
6. Real Madrid
7. Arsenal
8. New York Giants
9. New York Jets
10. Houston Texans

The Houston Texans???  I guess it is the NFL in Texas, but really the Texans?

[Mr. Ypsi]

According to Forbes, the most valuable sports franchises in the world

1.  Manchester United
2. Dallas Cowboys
3. Washington Redskins
4. New England Patriots
5. New York Yankees
6. Real Madrid
7. Arsenal
8. New York Giants
9. New York Jets
10. Houston Texans

The Houston Texans???  I guess it is the NFL in Texas, but really the Texans?

One could say the same thing about the Jets!   Simple: huge market; rabid fans.

Interesting that the Yankees are the only non-football team on the list.

[sac]

According to Forbes, the most valuable sports franchises in the world

1.  Manchester United
2. Dallas Cowboys
3. Washington Redskins
4. New England Patriots
5. New York Yankees
6. Real Madrid
7. Arsenal
8. New York Giants
9. New York Jets
10. Houston Texans

The Houston Texans???  I guess it is the NFL in Texas, but really the Texans?

I'm going to guess most of that valuation comes from the $700 million they had to pay just for the right to have a franchise in Houston.


Most of the NFL franchises are rated so valuable because of television deals.  Whats odd about the Jets, Giants and Texans is they do not own the stadium's whereas the Cowboys, Redskins and Patriots (or at least their owners) do.

[Mr. Ypsi]

sac,

Did your source give rankings beyond the top ten?

I'd be curious when NBA or NHL teams first come in.

I'd guess that the Lakers would be the next non-football (or, perhaps, baseball) team.  Conceivably the Celtics (by tradition) or the Knicks (by market), but I'd guess the Lakers.

Probably much farther down the list, but despite the Detroit economic travails, I'd guess the Wings.

[sac]

No full list, here's the Forbes article

http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/13/nfl-cowboys-yankees-biz-media-cx_tvr_0113values.html

I guess a big reason why the Houston Texans are ranked is their $300 million naming rights deal for Reliant Stadium.

-------------------------------------

Found this on ESPN.com, its a Forbes list, not sure what year its from though.........I'm going to say its old though considering they have the Montreal Expos on the list. .....but its good for the general idea of most valuable franchises.

http://espn.go.com/sportsbusiness/s/forbes.html

[ScotsFan]

...so in some sense I am happy to see a weaker Man U come into the EPL season next fall (although I am sure that Ferguson will work very, very, hard to fill the void left by the loss of Ronaldo). 

And with an added £80 million at his disposal, I'm sure he will not only be adding quality, but quantity as well...  It is already rumored that ManU are targeting young Spanish sensation David Villa and have reportedly offered £45 million to his current club Valencia.  But, it seems that the £135 million that Real have already spent on their 2 record shattering transfers already this offseason might not be all as they have reportedly thrown their name in the hat for Villa's services as well...    It seems that Chelsea was already turned down by Villa because of his desire to stay in Spain.  We'll see just how much of a desire he has to stay in Spain if he turns down ManU's reported offer that would also be a Premiership record transfer fee.

As for the Ronaldo transfer, I am interested  to see how he does under a new manager.  I thought Fergie did a tremendous job of keeping guys like Rooney and Tevez appeased while dealing with Ronaldo who seems to always want to be the center of attention.  I think Manuel Pellegrini will have a tall order on hand just keeping the egos in check of all the stars on Real...

[Hoosier Titan]

Next year's EPL fixtures list is out.

The British government agreed, after this year's Hillsborough memorial service, to re-open many documents pertaining to the way the police and authorities reacted to the medical casualties.  (They were to have been kept closed for 30 years; it's been 20).  Nothing has happened yet, though.  There was a petition of support for British Nationals to sign on the Liverpool FC web page, but they have recently added one for non-Brits to comment and show their support.  These comments will be kept separate from the petition, but will help to show that football fans--and concerned citizens--worldwide know about Hillsborough.

The original page was signed by Man U and Everton supporters, among others--this is an issue that goes far beyond team loyalty.

If anyone would like to add a comment, the petition is here:  Non-Brit support page  The petition closes on Saturday, June 20.

Thanks very much.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Brazil spanked USA, 3-0, in today's Confederations Cup, all but eliminating them.  They remain mathematically alive because Egypt stunned Italy, 1-0.

To continue, USA would have to beat Egypt by at least 5 goals (they've matched Brazil and Italy in goals, while the US has been out-scored 6-1), while Italy loses to Brazil (by at least 2, unless USA downs Egypt by MORE than 5 goals).  Not absolutely impossible, but realistically USA is toast.

[Hoosier Titan]

Brazil spanked USA, 3-0, in today's Confederations Cup, all but eliminating them.  They remain mathematically alive because Egypt stunned Italy, 1-0.

To continue, USA would have to beat Egypt by at least 5 goals (they've matched Brazil and Italy in goals, while the US has been out-scored 6-1), while Italy loses to Brazil (by at least 2, unless USA downs Egypt by MORE than 5 goals).  Not absolutely impossible, but realistically USA is toast.

The only good news in that is Italy's defeat.  They are the dirtiest side I know.  The red card against the US in their match with Italy was one of the most pitiful refereeing decisions I've seen all year.

[Mr. Ypsi]

HT, and the same son who rooted for the Penguins over the Wings is also a huge Italy fan - where did I go wrong!

Am I correct that goal differential trumps head-to-head?  If I'm wrong on that, USA may have slightly more life since a big win by Brazil over Italy would reduce the necessary margin of victory by USA over Egypt.  But (unlike most American sports' standings), I'm pretty sure GD comes before h-t-h in settling ties.

Tough draw for USA with both Brazil and Italy in their group.  I think they would be favored (or at least even) against all but Spain in the other group.  If RSA can only tie Iraq (!) and modestly beat NZ (!!), USA should be at least even-favorites with RSA.  Guess we'll never know.

[ScotsFan]

Am I correct that goal differential trumps head-to-head?  If I'm wrong on that, USA may have slightly more life since a big win by Brazil over Italy would reduce the necessary margin of victory by USA over Egypt.  But (unlike most American sports' standings), I'm pretty sure GD comes before h-t-h in settling ties.

Tough draw for USA with both Brazil and Italy in their group.  I think they would be favored (or at least even) against all but Spain in the other group.  If RSA can only tie Iraq (!) and modestly beat NZ (!!), USA should be at least even-favorites with RSA.  Guess we'll never know.

I'm pretty sure you are correct in that GD trumps head to head.  And as for RSA, I guess being the hosts means you get to choose the groups as well.  I mean, Iraq and New Zealand in the same group???  If RSA doesn't move on out of the group stages they would be guilty of one massive choke job...

Meanwhile, the US has to go up against the defending World Champs and arguably one of the best teams in the world in their first 2 matches and then they get the African champions in Egypt if their first 2 matches weren't tough enough?    Yeah, that seems fair... 

HT, and the same son who rooted for the Penguins over the Wings is also a huge Italy fan - where did I go wrong!

Ahhhh!  I can live with your son being a Pens fan, but Italian football???  The horror!     Next you're going to tell us he is an Ohio State fan...   

I can't stand the Italian brand of football.  And that red card they gave Clark was total BS and totally changed the complexion of that match.  And if that call wasn't bad enough, how about the elbow that Italian defender landed on Donavan that didn't even draw a card?  Complete BS which is how I feel about Italian football...  Personally, I thought Sasha's red card in today's match was a bit harsh as well.  I thought both were deserving of yellow cards, but red???  Come on...  Brazil and Italy are tough enough to beat at full strength.  But for the US to be asked to do it in both games a man down???

I just hope that the US comes out fired up against Egypt.  At least salvage something out of this trip and beat the African champs!

Oh and I hope that we see no Demarcus Beasley in the match with Egypt either.  Talk about a player that has never lived up to their potential.  He was downright horrible today!  I mean, that ball he lost that was played right to him on that corner that led directly to one of the easiest counter attacks I have ever seen?  Surely the US can do better than Demarcus Beasley?  I'm hoping to not see his name on the WC roster come next summer...    Unless he shows something between now and then, I think he is well on his way to playing himself off of the MNT by his last couple of performances and especially today's performance...

[Mr. Ypsi]

SF,

I only saw a few minutes of the Italy/Egypt game, so can't comment (and missed all of the USA/Brazil game).

Agree with you about Italian football (though not about Pen's hockey ), but fear not - David will be a senior at UM this coming year - even as a rebel, ain't no way he could be an OSU fan!