Zidane or Ronaldo to Chicago Fire?
The old adage “where there’s smoke there’s fire” is getting a workout these days, with more rumours that Zinadine Zidane might be joining MLS’s Chicago Fire.
Earlier this year, the Fire unsuccessfully tried to lure both Zidane and Henrick Larrson. However, this tidbit in this weekend’s New York Times has the soccer boards a buzzing:
Mr. Leiweke says AEG is now in talks to bring a second international star to the Chicago Fire, another of Mr. Anschutz’s soccer teams. “We are working on a deal right now,” he says, before suggesting whom he is trying to snare. “There are only four players that move the needle: Ronaldo. Beckham. Zidane. Ronaldinho.”
Beckham is already in the US. Ronaldhino ain’t happening. Which leaves Ronaldo and Zidane.
Zidane nor Ronaldo will go to the fire. It is an issue of money. The names of Zidane, Blanco and Ronaldo can sell tickets all on their own. So if these names go to different teams there will be more teams selling tickets and more media coverage instead of having one team sell tickets while the rest attract little attention. I devoted a post to this previously, and I wish that people would see the financial mistake it would be to put two big names on the same team.