Gonna need some lotion for that burn...

3 hours ago, Pete said:

Gonna need some lotion for that burn...

NYCFC: One Star and Thousands of Coffins #sportswashing

Sergio Aguero has officially retired due to a heart condition

10 hours ago, AxB said:

Also, way to Streisand this thing.

On 12/15/2021 at 1:55 PM, RIPPA said:

Sergio Aguero has officially retired due to a heart condition

Agggguuuueeeerrrrrroooo!!!

Well this is a unexpected development breaking:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59696837

Bradford City have received an offer from a group of US cryptocurrency investors to buy the League Two club, according to chairman Stefan Rupp.

In non-COVID news... I believe the Nations League contract with ESPN expires after next year, and if so, those rights are about to take a HUGE upswing in value:

https://www.espn.com/soccer/uefa-na...o-join-expanded-uefa-nations-league-from-2024

There were rumors a month ago that FOX was attempting to take the rights for Euro Competitions (which would include Nations League games), so if ESPN want to keep their rights, they better bring a dump truck full of money. (edit: Correction, Fox already has the rights for 2024 ownward https://worldsoccertalk.com/2021/11/03/fox-acquire-rights-to-euro-2024-and-euro-2028/)

https://frontofficesports.com/fox-could-obtain-uefa-euro-rights/

Key Points:

This is a memorandum of cooperation. It means they want to do it, they intend to do it, but haven't yet guaranteed it's going to happen. Still can fall through. But with the money on the table, and premier matchups, I don't think it will fall through. 

6 CONEMBOL teams will join Nations League A Groups in 2024
the remaining 4 teams will join Nations League B Groups

All games will be played in Europe.

 

Further Edit:

 

I’m spitballing (no confirmed info, just reasonable guesses) here, but if they wanted an additional bulwark against the biannual World Cup (and earn more in TV rights in a different market), they could reach out to CONCACAF for several reasons:

USA and Mexico to Nations League A
Next 4 teams to Nations League B
Remainder sprinkled through C and D

(This would bring it to 24 teams in each of the top two leagues, which isn’t ideal but very doable with six groups of four, with the group winners qualifying (and top two ranked teams get a bye to semifinals, while other 4 play to get into the semifinal), or a full quarterfinal round with the 2 highest ranked second place teams getting into the QF and having a full quarterfinal round)

Also, this would be good for lower level soccer-nations, as they would get more meaningful games against teams at their own level.

Edited December 17, 20214 yr by SirFozzie

How many bad calls can this one referee make? Holy shit.