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Back in late February 1992, when the 22 clubs of the English First Division resigned en masse from the Football League, little did they know that a downsized 20 club Premier League would grow into the global juggernaut it has become two decades later. Colin Kaepernick . Now just two weeks into the new season weve already had more than enough reasons both on and off the pitch to understand why more nations across the globe are drawn into the spectacle of live broadcast coverage of the Barclays Premier League than there are member states of the United Nations. From frenzied activity in the transfer market (where weve already seen the top clubs spend over £275m), to Joey Bartons twitter briefings, fans across the world are captivated by the top flight of English football. One significant factor for the unprecedented global growth of the league has been the introduction into the league of players hailing from all four corners. To get a clearer perspective of this player revolution: back in that inaugural 1992 season there were just 11 players in the league that didnt hail from the British Isles. This summer alone, and with a week still to go before the transfer window closes, Chelsea and Manchester City have already acquired 10 overseas players. Dont kid yourself that the emergence of the internet - with its various fan engagement platforms - has only been beneficial to the MLS upstarts. In the most recent global fan survey conducted by Barclays which contains the views of over 32,000 fans from 185 countries it concluded that over 80 per cent of fans indicated a preference of the internet as their primary source of keeping up to date with the goings on of the league. A larger percentage took in live broadcasts where seven in 10 of them do so whilst wearing a replica shirt. Meanwhile on the pitch impeccable starts by both Manchester clubs alongside riveting cameos from the likes of Rooney and Agüero may have already provided the backdrop to a season that will likely see the champions fight it out with the blue half of Manchester. Many think the diversion of a debut in the Champions League will unhinge the FA Cop holders. No one then notice that this is a club that now can now count on the goal scoring abilities of over £200m worth of top notch attacking talent in the guise of Balotelli, Dzeko, Tevez and Agüero who compliment the most expensive squad ever assembled in world football. Since he took ownership of Manchester City on the eve of the 2008/2009, Sheik Mansours investment in playing squad alone is reported to have now exceeded £400m. Very active on the player movement front (with a total of 11 new players already added and 9 removed with the prospect of more coming and going before Aug. 31) the re-emergence of Liverpool as a force will fascinate all season long. The same though cant be said of their fellow Merseysiders Everton, whose very own financial viability is in question as their bankers demand they pay down a perilous debt level by selling players before entering the transfer market. For a league that tops the revolving door that is the billionaire must- have play thing, with the departure of F1 Supremo Bernie Ecclestone from QPR - Chelseas quaint West London cousin - weve already encountered a change of ownership this new season. Typically its a Premier League club that challenges UEFAs Financial Fairplay system. Having just commenced its transitional phase before full implementation for the 2013-14 season requires clubs only spend the revenue they directly earn. The object of derision for Jean-Luc Dehaene, the chairman of UEFAs Club Financial Control Panel, is Manchester Citys recently announced potential £400m all encompassing 10-year partnership with Etihad.If it is proven that the deal exceeds fair market price then Manchester Citys future place in the Champions League is in peril. How will Arsenal cope with the loss of three key players, including the long drawn out soap opera-type saga surrounding the departure of their captain to Barcelona? Arsene Wenger is reported to have tabled a club record breaking offer of £22m for the Rennes holding midfielder Yann MVilla. If Wengers successful he will likely have to break Arsenals transfer record for the 2nd time in a week in search of a creative player to make up for the large vacuum following the combined departures of Nasri and Fabregas. No bigger personal intrigue will be than that which is bound to stalk £50m Fernando Torres all season long. To date El Nino has only netted a solitary once in 18 Premier League appearances for Chelsea, while fellow Athletico Madrid alumni Agüero netted twice on his debut. As the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City circle their wagons in search of the perfect winning formula, Manchester United (winners of an incredible 12 titles in the 19 season history of the league) is at the pinnacle of the 150 year history of competitive football in England. Since the Premier League was formed Manchester United has never finished outside of the top three. As part of securing a formidable future the club is in the closing stages of preparing itself for a listing on the stock exchange. The Barclays Premier League stock exchange in question is located seven time zones away from Manchester in Singapore. Its speculated 30 per cent of the club will be on offer at a price that would bring in upwards of a $1 billion. Ordinarily across world sport it is a player that commands the most attention and adulation. Not the case with this league. That honour goes to a bespectacled Scotsman from humble Glaswegian origins who will celebrate 25 years at the helm of Manchester United on Nov. 6. Having kicked off his Manchester United life back on November 8th, 1986 with a defeat away to Oxford - nothing would prepare us for the way Sir Alex Ferguson has seized control of English football. Now on his fourth rebuild of the playing staff, which many believe will be Fergusons last, only three of the players who started last Mondays match with Tottenham were even born before Ferguson arrived at the club. In fact a few of them were not even born before Ryan Giggs first took flight down the Old Trafford left wing back in March 1991. Many astute observers believe Ferguson is preparing the groundwork for his departure to ensure minimal disruption for whenever that eventuality actually occurs. Ferguson will also celebrate a 70th birthday New Years eve. On the eve of this season Tottenhams opening match at home to Everton fell victim to the dreadful violent disturbances which occurred up and down the country earlier this month. But come next May, will it be a 13th title for Manchester United thats celebrated. But with so many clubs feeling they have a legitimate claim this season the only thing we can be certain of is that whoever does win the Barclays Premier League, one of the most prized championships in all of world sport, it will be celebrated globally. YOUR COUNTRY NEEDS YOU - Earlier today Stephen Hart named a 19 man squad for the 2 upcoming qualifiers for Brazil 2014. With the opening match scheduled for September 2nd against St. Lucia the Canadian Soccer Association through their True Patriot Love promotional campaign are engaging with media, regional associations and fan groups alike to ensure not only a large turn out at BMO Field next Friday evening but as important that those in attendance passionately support the team throughout the duration of a hoped for extended qualification campaign. Last months preliminary draw was certainly favourable for a nation that was unseeded by CONCACAF. Canada have avoided both the US and Mexico until the final phase that will see 6 nations scrap it out for CONCACAFs 3 automatic qualification spots on offer. STRIKE STUTTERING SEASONS - With news coming out of Madrid this morning of a settlement in the La Liga players strike that delayed the Spanish season kicking off the news out of Rome after lengthy inconclusive meetings between Italys governing body, the FIGC and Serie A was less promising. Unless an 11th hour compromise is made and a new collective bargaining agreement signed Italys top flight will not go ahead as planned Saturday. Combined with next weekends International break it may well be mid September before the action gets underway. This for a league that historically prides itself on shying away from scheduling midweek fixtures would have no choice but to condense its season from the traditional 36 week period or otherwise compromise the Azzurris challenge at EURO2012. This coming against the backdrop of Italys thoroughly deserved 2-1 conquest over the Spanish world champions just over a fortnight ago. NUMBERS GAME - Harking back to a bygone era when club and international sides seemingly only changed jersey styles once a generation how quaint it was to see at the recent USA Vs Mexico friendly in Philadelphia - Klinsmanns 1st in charge - the US players wear jerseys numbered in the old tradional way of 1 through 11. With no names on the reverse of shirts officially the USSF state this was a last minute request by their head coach but does beg the question if this is all part of Klinsmanns overhaul of Americas attitude towards the sport as he goes in search of establishing a truer identity for US soccer. Steve Johnson Jersey . 1 and No. 2 in womens golf at the World Ladies Championship. Park closed with a 6-under 67 for a five-shot victory over Suzann Pettersen in a Ladies European Tour event.Autographed Black Anquan Boldin Mens Elite Jersey ." Hextall was promoted to general manager by the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday to replace Paul Holmgren, who was elevated to president.MIAMI -- Reigning NBA MVP LeBron James was relaxing with his wife not long ago when he looked around and was stunned to see someone wearing his Miami Heat No. 6 jersey. They were on their honeymoon in Venice. "Its kind of crazy, honestly," James said. "Theres a wow factor." James is again on top of the NBAs list of top-selling jerseys in the newest rankings released Thursday. The rankings are based on overall sales from adidas and NBAStore.com in the fourth quarter of this year, along with Black Friday and Cyber Monday holiday sales -- both of which were record-setting, the league said. Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers is No. 2 on the list, followed by Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls, Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks. "If people love the way I play the game of basketball, love the way I inspire to be better, thats great," James said. "Everytime I see someone in my jersey, a complete stranger, its a wow factor. For me to be the No. 1 guy, to have the most jersey sales, its crazy." Theres a double-digit percentage growth in jersey sales from last year, according to the league. And with two new versions of the James jerrsey either hitting, or about to hit, the marketplace, his numbers might keep growing. Jerry Rice 49ers Jersey. James short-sleeved jersey -- the one teams are wearing on Christmas this year -- is expected to be a big seller, as will the Name Collection jersey, which the Heat will wear early next year bearing nicknames on the back. James will be going with "King James" on his jersey for those games. Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors is on the list for the first time at No. 6. Other first-timers on the list include James Harden of the Houston Rockets (No. 12) and Paul George of the Indiana Pacers (No. 14). After Curry, Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat checks in at No. 7, followed by Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers, Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers, Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Harden, Rajon Rondo of the Boston Celtics, George, and then Michael Carter-Williams of the Philadelphia 76ers at No. 15. Carter-Williams is the lone rookie on the 15-person list. James, who also had the most popular jersey worldwide this year, has held the No. 1 position five times on the leagues list of domestic jersey sales. ' ' ' |
