Comments on: The Eve of the Transfer Window http://acmilan.theoffside.com/azzuri/the-eve-of-the-transfer-window.html AC Milan Football Club Blog Thu, 26 Nov 2009 14:50:15 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: alessio http://acmilan.theoffside.com/azzuri/the-eve-of-the-transfer-window.html#comment-15307 alessio Fri, 04 Jul 2008 00:10:45 +0000 http://acmilan.theoffside.com/moves/the-eve-of-the-transfer-window.html#comment-15307 I agree Asia is the next big market, and Serie A should aggressively expand there. Juve just did a tour of Southeast Asia. I agree with 100% of your points JP, that's the same reason David Beckham moved to Madrid, to sell shirts, not win titles. But there's a big difference between expanding your fanbase and whoring yourselves out. The EPL is getting damn near close to the latter, the idea of the 39th game for the league was abhorrent. It had nothing to do with the sport, the league (it'd upset the balance) and all to do with marketing and profits. I agree Asia is the next big market, and Serie A should aggressively expand there. Juve just did a tour of Southeast Asia.

I agree with 100% of your points JP, that’s the same reason David Beckham moved to Madrid, to sell shirts, not win titles. But there’s a big difference between expanding your fanbase and whoring yourselves out. The EPL is getting damn near close to the latter, the idea of the 39th game for the league was abhorrent. It had nothing to do with the sport, the league (it’d upset the balance) and all to do with marketing and profits.

]]> By: Gianfranco http://acmilan.theoffside.com/azzuri/the-eve-of-the-transfer-window.html#comment-15306 Gianfranco Thu, 03 Jul 2008 23:57:31 +0000 http://acmilan.theoffside.com/moves/the-eve-of-the-transfer-window.html#comment-15306 Asia is the big brave new world, not America. Milan has a big advantage in Asia with a ton of Toyota cup wins a big following in Japan, so that is most likely why they swing thier resources that direction. I would expect though in time that the US becomes a powerful again in terms of marketing, but not soon enough to make a difference. Asia is the big brave new world, not America. Milan has a big advantage in Asia with a ton of Toyota cup wins a big following in Japan, so that is most likely why they swing thier resources that direction. I would expect though in time that the US becomes a powerful again in terms of marketing, but not soon enough to make a difference.

]]> By: Gianfranco http://acmilan.theoffside.com/azzuri/the-eve-of-the-transfer-window.html#comment-15305 Gianfranco Thu, 03 Jul 2008 23:55:48 +0000 http://acmilan.theoffside.com/moves/the-eve-of-the-transfer-window.html#comment-15305 JP your points are absolutely stellar, and your very correct on the issue of marketability. The EPL has the most wide range of players from all nations making it the most marketable first because of the english language, and second becuase it represents almost every nation in the world. Though this is a detrminet to the English game, it makes their clubs all the more powerful. It begs a massaive question what is more important, club prowess and buying power or National team ability to succeed on the big stage. Until England has both, they will only be a force at the club level. JP your points are absolutely stellar, and your very correct on the issue of marketability. The EPL has the most wide range of players from all nations making it the most marketable first because of the english language, and second becuase it represents almost every nation in the world. Though this is a detrminet to the English game, it makes their clubs all the more powerful.

It begs a massaive question what is more important, club prowess and buying power or National team ability to succeed on the big stage. Until England has both, they will only be a force at the club level.

]]> By: JP http://acmilan.theoffside.com/azzuri/the-eve-of-the-transfer-window.html#comment-15304 JP Thu, 03 Jul 2008 21:07:29 +0000 http://acmilan.theoffside.com/moves/the-eve-of-the-transfer-window.html#comment-15304 Sushan, That's why I believe TV deals are the key to leveling the playing field. In this modern era of the game, so much money is brough into clubs via TV and marketing. Why do you think Man U is so ardently trying to keep Ronaldo? Why do you think Madrid is so ardently trying to sign him? It's not just because of his talent, it's really because of his marketablity. If Man U goes on tour in S. Africa or Asia or America sans CR7, it's not as good. That's why I'm so pissed at Milan and Serie A. Milan has (still) the World's Best Player on it's roster. So why not fly to Rio and play a friendly, why not go to Chicago (my city) and play against the Fire? Instead, Milan goes to Russia for the railways cup and plays a bunch of matches against Serie C1 sides. Same thing applies for all the Italian matches. Why the hell doesn't Inter (the defending champions) play a friendly in New York or Buenos Aires (considering their high number of Argies). If Serie A, La Liga and Bundesliga want to level the playing field and prevent the PL (who clearly have no right to assert themselves as the "best league) from running roughshod over Europe, then TV deals and exposure are the most important things. It may mean sacrificing familial tradition. Roma may have to wave goodbye to the Sensi family, Milan may have to force out Berlusconi, etc. But, while it is sad, it is becoming more and more necessary. Maybe, hopefully, I'm wrong. Maybe I'm just buying into the hype that the PL media machine is creating. I don't know. But I hate the fact that we're even discussing this. This is a fucking game, the most glorious game on earth, and in my view the way the PL is going about it's business is killing it. SERIE A, LA LIGA, AND DAS BUNDESLIGA: STAND UP AGAINST THE PREMIERSHIP AND GIVE US A ROMA VS BARCELONA, BAYERN MUNICH VS FIORENTINA CL SEMI FINAL! Sushan,
That’s why I believe TV deals are the key to leveling the playing field. In this modern era of the game, so much money is brough into clubs via TV and marketing. Why do you think Man U is so ardently trying to keep Ronaldo? Why do you think Madrid is so ardently trying to sign him? It’s not just because of his talent, it’s really because of his marketablity. If Man U goes on tour in S. Africa or Asia or America sans CR7, it’s not as good.

That’s why I’m so pissed at Milan and Serie A. Milan has (still) the World’s Best Player on it’s roster. So why not fly to Rio and play a friendly, why not go to Chicago (my city) and play against the Fire? Instead, Milan goes to Russia for the railways cup and plays a bunch of matches against Serie C1 sides. Same thing applies for all the Italian matches. Why the hell doesn’t Inter (the defending champions) play a friendly in New York or Buenos Aires (considering their high number of Argies).

If Serie A, La Liga and Bundesliga want to level the playing field and prevent the PL (who clearly have no right to assert themselves as the “best league) from running roughshod over Europe, then TV deals and exposure are the most important things. It may mean sacrificing familial tradition. Roma may have to wave goodbye to the Sensi family, Milan may have to force out Berlusconi, etc. But, while it is sad, it is becoming more and more necessary.

Maybe, hopefully, I’m wrong. Maybe I’m just buying into the hype that the PL media machine is creating. I don’t know. But I hate the fact that we’re even discussing this. This is a fucking game, the most glorious game on earth, and in my view the way the PL is going about it’s business is killing it.

SERIE A, LA LIGA, AND DAS BUNDESLIGA: STAND UP AGAINST THE PREMIERSHIP AND GIVE US A ROMA VS BARCELONA, BAYERN MUNICH VS FIORENTINA CL SEMI FINAL!

]]> By: Sushan[ACM] http://acmilan.theoffside.com/azzuri/the-eve-of-the-transfer-window.html#comment-15303 Sushan[ACM] Thu, 03 Jul 2008 20:50:37 +0000 http://acmilan.theoffside.com/moves/the-eve-of-the-transfer-window.html#comment-15303 even in India its sucks. Pl all over. there is a channel called neo sports which has rights of palermo , siena. FFS palermo?? wtf??I want milan even in India its sucks. Pl all over. there is a channel called neo sports which has rights of palermo , siena. FFS palermo?? wtf??I want milan

]]> By: JP http://acmilan.theoffside.com/azzuri/the-eve-of-the-transfer-window.html#comment-15302 JP Thu, 03 Jul 2008 20:43:27 +0000 http://acmilan.theoffside.com/moves/the-eve-of-the-transfer-window.html#comment-15302 There is one dominant reason for the PL's popularity in America: the English language. With English becoming the most common language worldwide, and actually replacing many native languages, it is helping to increase the accessibility and popularity of the EPL. Think of it this way: it is far easier to be a fan of a club when you can watch the press conferences of the players and coaches and understand what they are saying. I don't really know why Serie A is not broadcasted as much in America, considering the high number of Italian immigrants. I watched the CL final between Juve and Milan at ESPN Zone and the place was packed with fans wearing Bianconeri and Rossoneri. Alot of the fans were at least part Italian, and there were alot of neutrals as well. But I really don't have any hope for Italian football to become widely broadcasted in America (nor Spanish or German for that matter). Just look at ESPN's coverage of the CL. EVER SINGLE AIRED MATCH INVOLVED AN ENGLISH TEAM!! I was only able to watch one Milan match during the group stages and it was on the day when only Milan and Celtic were playing each other (the day Inzaghi broke the record too!). But still, if it had been any ordinary matchday, you all know ESPN would have aired Chelsea or Man U or 'Pool. It's that sort of Premiership-centric behavior that needs to be addressed. But it's easier for Tommy Smyth and Derek Rae to call a CL match involving Prem sides because that's all they know about. I'm sure you've noticed how little those two guys actually know about Italian football. Every other word that comes out of their mouths is "catenaccio". I hate to say it, but in terms of expanding in America, I have little hope for Serie A. I'm more concerned about Asia (Milan was followed like gods when they were in Japan for the CWC), Africa, S. America, etc. Alessio, you are right, there are millions of Serie A fans the world over. I know Milan fans in Australia, Inter fans in Chicago, Roma fans who are Bosnian immigrants, and so on. But as long as FSC and ESPN continue to be 100% Premier League centric, I can't say the future looks bright for Serie A, La Liga, or Bundesliga in America. Here's proof: ESPN is adamantly pursuing rights to broadcast PL matches. As if it weren't enough dealing with FSC stuffing the PL down our throats on both their network and on their site, now we get to deal with ESPN following suit. God help us. There is one dominant reason for the PL’s popularity in America: the English language. With English becoming the most common language worldwide, and actually replacing many native languages, it is helping to increase the accessibility and popularity of the EPL. Think of it this way: it is far easier to be a fan of a club when you can watch the press conferences of the players and coaches and understand what they are saying.

I don’t really know why Serie A is not broadcasted as much in America, considering the high number of Italian immigrants. I watched the CL final between Juve and Milan at ESPN Zone and the place was packed with fans wearing Bianconeri and Rossoneri. Alot of the fans were at least part Italian, and there were alot of neutrals as well.

But I really don’t have any hope for Italian football to become widely broadcasted in America (nor Spanish or German for that matter). Just look at ESPN’s coverage of the CL. EVER SINGLE AIRED MATCH INVOLVED AN ENGLISH TEAM!! I was only able to watch one Milan match during the group stages and it was on the day when only Milan and Celtic were playing each other (the day Inzaghi broke the record too!). But still, if it had been any ordinary matchday, you all know ESPN would have aired Chelsea or Man U or ‘Pool. It’s that sort of Premiership-centric behavior that needs to be addressed. But it’s easier for Tommy Smyth and Derek Rae to call a CL match involving Prem sides because that’s all they know about. I’m sure you’ve noticed how little those two guys actually know about Italian football. Every other word that comes out of their mouths is “catenaccio”.

I hate to say it, but in terms of expanding in America, I have little hope for Serie A. I’m more concerned about Asia (Milan was followed like gods when they were in Japan for the CWC), Africa, S. America, etc. Alessio, you are right, there are millions of Serie A fans the world over. I know Milan fans in Australia, Inter fans in Chicago, Roma fans who are Bosnian immigrants, and so on. But as long as FSC and ESPN continue to be 100% Premier League centric, I can’t say the future looks bright for Serie A, La Liga, or Bundesliga in America.

Here’s proof: ESPN is adamantly pursuing rights to broadcast PL matches. As if it weren’t enough dealing with FSC stuffing the PL down our throats on both their network and on their site, now we get to deal with ESPN following suit. God help us.

]]> By: moka http://acmilan.theoffside.com/azzuri/the-eve-of-the-transfer-window.html#comment-15301 moka Thu, 03 Jul 2008 20:35:47 +0000 http://acmilan.theoffside.com/moves/the-eve-of-the-transfer-window.html#comment-15301 Elia Legati, 22 year old defender from youth team loaned out to Monaco! woohoo.. :D Keep loaning out b/c they'll never get a chance otherwise.. Elia Legati, 22 year old defender from youth team loaned out to Monaco!

woohoo.. :D

Keep loaning out b/c they’ll never get a chance otherwise..

]]> By: alessio http://acmilan.theoffside.com/azzuri/the-eve-of-the-transfer-window.html#comment-15300 alessio Thu, 03 Jul 2008 20:23:25 +0000 http://acmilan.theoffside.com/moves/the-eve-of-the-transfer-window.html#comment-15300 JP, I think you're right on. Few notes- Juve is the only team that owns its' stadium, and we're not even playing in it right now. So it's not just the Viola, it's the San Siro and Olimpico as well. The TV deals is killing Italy. Serie A is as popular if not more in many parts of the world as the EPL. Here in America, it's damn near impossible to easily watch Serie A. A game on FSC a week, maybe two if you're lucky. The EPL is everywhere, some cable channels even carry it. (YES did for a while) JP, I think you’re right on. Few notes- Juve is the only team that owns its’ stadium, and we’re not even playing in it right now. So it’s not just the Viola, it’s the San Siro and Olimpico as well.

The TV deals is killing Italy. Serie A is as popular if not more in many parts of the world as the EPL. Here in America, it’s damn near impossible to easily watch Serie A. A game on FSC a week, maybe two if you’re lucky. The EPL is everywhere, some cable channels even carry it. (YES did for a while)

]]> By: JP http://acmilan.theoffside.com/azzuri/the-eve-of-the-transfer-window.html#comment-15299 JP Thu, 03 Jul 2008 19:25:10 +0000 http://acmilan.theoffside.com/moves/the-eve-of-the-transfer-window.html#comment-15299 Moka, well said. You have to understand Italy's psychology though. It is still a very nationalistic nation (which in some cases I think is a good thing), so national pride is always at the forefront of everything. Why is Inter the most hated club? Not because it wins, or because it bad mouths Juve, but mainly because it has no Italians in the starting 11 on most days. I think the future of the Italian NT is always in good hands. Believe it or not, Milan has one of the best youth development programs in Europe, and most of the kids there are Italians. The problem for ACM is that we never give those kids a chance, we loan them out multiple times and waste them. Really, I'm just sick of all this Premiership nonsense and I'm sick of seeing ACM and other Italian clubs who have enjoyed far more success than their European counterparts suffer due to lack of money because the Serie A has remained stagnant and other leagues have pushed forward with new ideas. Calciopoli hurt the Serie A, mainly because the sports tribunal went overboard with punishments. But we can move on from that. There are scandals in every league (like "bung" in England...police actually raided Harry Redknaps offices, CRAZY!). I want to see the Serie A as a whole up there with the best of the best again. In the 1980s and much of the 90s, there was no doubt Serie A was the "best" (there are mainy qualifiers that come with that assertion, but I'll use "best" as a blanket term). Italian clubs won everything, and the big players wanted to play there. Now Italy has remained immobile, stuck in the glory days whilst the other leagues have passed them by. Maybe with Fiorentina in the CL, the Viola can push up and we can see another Italian club break the barrier and become a major club (even though the Artemio Franchi is also owned by the city, not by the club therefore generating little revenue for Fiorentina). I don't know. I just know that the FIGC can't sit still forever. They have to realise this and act. It is insane to have a league in which a club like Napoli is so sick of the asanine TV deals that it refuses to air its home games nationally. That is simply unacceptable and only hurts Serie A's image. Italy has alot of things going for its league: the lowest cost for tickets in the major Euro leagues. Depsite the cliche comments regarding poor attendance, Italy actually has the 3rd highest attendance rating. It's just that we don't always see the San Siro packed to its 89,000 capacity or the Olimpico filled either. But San Siro is usually filled with at least 60,000 fans, a number most clubs are envious of. And to have those numbers and still boat the lowest ticket prices is a great thing. Italy just has to modernize a bit and everything can become level. However, I know the politics and psychology of my homeland too well to get excited about something like that. Moka, well said. You have to understand Italy’s psychology though. It is still a very nationalistic nation (which in some cases I think is a good thing), so national pride is always at the forefront of everything. Why is Inter the most hated club? Not because it wins, or because it bad mouths Juve, but mainly because it has no Italians in the starting 11 on most days. I think the future of the Italian NT is always in good hands. Believe it or not, Milan has one of the best youth development programs in Europe, and most of the kids there are Italians. The problem for ACM is that we never give those kids a chance, we loan them out multiple times and waste them.

Really, I’m just sick of all this Premiership nonsense and I’m sick of seeing ACM and other Italian clubs who have enjoyed far more success than their European counterparts suffer due to lack of money because the Serie A has remained stagnant and other leagues have pushed forward with new ideas. Calciopoli hurt the Serie A, mainly because the sports tribunal went overboard with punishments. But we can move on from that. There are scandals in every league (like “bung” in England…police actually raided Harry Redknaps offices, CRAZY!).

I want to see the Serie A as a whole up there with the best of the best again. In the 1980s and much of the 90s, there was no doubt Serie A was the “best” (there are mainy qualifiers that come with that assertion, but I’ll use “best” as a blanket term). Italian clubs won everything, and the big players wanted to play there. Now Italy has remained immobile, stuck in the glory days whilst the other leagues have passed them by.

Maybe with Fiorentina in the CL, the Viola can push up and we can see another Italian club break the barrier and become a major club (even though the Artemio Franchi is also owned by the city, not by the club therefore generating little revenue for Fiorentina). I don’t know. I just know that the FIGC can’t sit still forever. They have to realise this and act. It is insane to have a league in which a club like Napoli is so sick of the asanine TV deals that it refuses to air its home games nationally. That is simply unacceptable and only hurts Serie A’s image.

Italy has alot of things going for its league: the lowest cost for tickets in the major Euro leagues. Depsite the cliche comments regarding poor attendance, Italy actually has the 3rd highest attendance rating. It’s just that we don’t always see the San Siro packed to its 89,000 capacity or the Olimpico filled either. But San Siro is usually filled with at least 60,000 fans, a number most clubs are envious of. And to have those numbers and still boat the lowest ticket prices is a great thing. Italy just has to modernize a bit and everything can become level.

However, I know the politics and psychology of my homeland too well to get excited about something like that.

]]> By: moka http://acmilan.theoffside.com/azzuri/the-eve-of-the-transfer-window.html#comment-15298 moka Thu, 03 Jul 2008 19:16:03 +0000 http://acmilan.theoffside.com/moves/the-eve-of-the-transfer-window.html#comment-15298 Btw I totally see Milan snapping up 32 (33 in 2 days) year old Crespo on a free.. Typical Milan behavior.. So provisional Italian olympic team is out.. Milan : 1 player (Abate) Juventus : 4 Roma : 0 Inter : 1 standby http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=762062 Btw I totally see Milan snapping up 32 (33 in 2 days) year old Crespo on a free.. Typical Milan behavior..

So provisional Italian olympic team is out..

Milan : 1 player (Abate)
Juventus : 4
Roma : 0
Inter : 1 standby

http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=762062

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