With J Hutcherson
Again with the basketball, this time giving us a look at one of the monetary issues involved with club vs. country. That would be insurance, with Britain's Luol Deng key to the National Team but needing to be insured directly.
Deng's salary is too high and risk of injury too great for the National Basketball Association's regular policy. Simply put, if Britain wants him, they have to pay a $500k premium. Considering the state of British basketball, that's not the easiest cost to absorb. They've managed it, but it's an object lesson for multiple pro sports.
The higher the contract, the greater the liability should a player get injured on National Team duty. Tribunals have already ruled in favor of soccer clubs seeking reimbursement from National Teams for players injured under their watch.
FIBA's relationship with the NBA is growing closer, but it's nowhere near the interplay between clubs, Confederations, and FIFA in world soccer.
Yet the issue is basically the same. Multi-million dollar squads where the risk of injury is equal to playing for the club that pays their salaries. The relative risk is the issue, and it's something that soccer partially addressed with the end of the G-14 lobbying effort in Europe.
UEFA and FIFA now pay clubs directly or use of players in major championships. Clubs sending players to the 2010 World Cup will split $110 million. That was a direct response to an issue threatening those major competitions, with clubs showing a willingness to without talent rather than acquiesce to any and all call-ups.
FIBA and their championships aren't similar in their drawing power and ability to generate revenue, but they're using talent every bit as expensive as world soccer's. Like soccer, sooner or later the basic point will be the same.
On TV
USL-1 on Fox Soccer Channel: Charleston - Puerto Rico at 8pm.
UEFA Super Cup on Fox Soccer: Manchester United - Zenit St. Petersburg at 2:30pm. MFL on ESPN Deportes: UAG - Toluca at 9pm. All Times Eastern
The Wonderful World of Soccer Media: Europe
Liverpool's new stadium delayed again -- from The Guardian's Gregg Roughley: It is also believed that the club have yet to officially sign the lease from the council for the Stanley Park site, and contractors have also yet to sign formal agreements.
Everton face difficult Liege tie -- from BBC Sport: Dutch side FC Twente, now coached by former England boss Steve McClaren, will play French club Rennes after their defeat at the hands of Arsenal in their Champions League qualifying tie.
A rocky road to Rome for Wenger but a £30m kitty could help Euro bid -- from The Daily Mail's Matt Lawton: No fun when Wenger does not have a holding midfielder.
We can make last 16 again, say Celtic -- from The Herald's Hugh MacDonald: "I had a funny feeling that we would get Man United."
England manager Fabio Capello on collision course with top bosses -- from The Telegraph's Henry Winter: Matching Sven-Goran Eriksson’s unhappy mood when Gerard Houllier despatched Gerrard for an operation on the eve of the 2002 World Cup, Capello is disappointed at losing his best midfielder and not being warned, although he accept Gerrard needs the operation.
Owen Hargreaves to miss Super Cup tie -- from The Times' Oliver Kay.
The Wonderful World of Soccer Media: Americas
Ruiz has 'em buzzing -- from The Toronto Sun's Dean McNulty: In the three days since, Ruiz has learned a lot about his new team, his new city and his new coaches.
Chester, Pennsylvania, Begins Comeback, Then There Are Murders -- from Bloomberg's Steven Church and Phil Milford: The city, a former ship-building hub about 15 miles (24 kilometers) south of downtown Philadelphia, began losing jobs and people in the 1950s, as shipyards closed and manufacturing jobs moved overseas.
Soccer stadium developer may balk at league fees -- from The St. Clair County Journal's Chris Coates: Cooper said USL is an option if the MLS fees prove too high.
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