Milan is burning

Published by William | Filed under Football (aka soccer)

Being the avid sports fan that I am, I have had to come to grips with a harsh reality as of late.  Professional athletics is a billion dollar industry.  Your favorite team?  It’s nothing more than another blood sucking corporation.  I’m sorry but it’s true.


Ok, ok, I know I am not the first idiot to make this thought-to-be groundbreaking notion, but can I not be sad?  I mean, it’s comparable to realizing Santa isn’t real, but much worse.  Everything that we hold good and pure to our hearts is dictated by the infamous ‘root of all evil’.


What I’m getting at is that nowadays, teams are not specifically doing what is best for the team.  They are doing what is best for the company, which is actually pretty selfish of me to say given the global economic circumstances, but it doesn’t make it any less true.  Top level management will do whatever is necessary to improve their year-end bottom line, even if it includes selling their most prized assets, or in this case, star players.


The most recent and prevalent example of this misfortune is that of Italian powerhouse AC Milan.  During this year’s offseason transfer window, the club parted ways with Brazilian international superstar Kaká claiming they simply could not afford to pay his wage and that after claiming losses for two straight seasons, could surely benefit from the cash.


Alright, I must admit I don’t have access to AC Milan’s balance sheets so I am not able to elaborate on how severe their economic situation really is.  However, according to Forbes 2009 Annual Soccer Team Valuations, AC Milan is the 6^th highest valued club in the world and had the 9^th highest Operating Income (EBITDA) in 2009.  Unless their amount of debt is insurmountable beyond comprehension, there has to be a means by which they could scrape together the cash to keep Kaká on.


While Kaká is only one man and not the sole solution to all of the clubs recent lack of form, I can say with all certainty, he is not the problem and getting rid of him is only making matters worse.  Milan performed at a level last year that was not up to standards of the club and its fans.  However, despite an off-year from an injury plagued and rapidly aging Ronaldinho, the Rosonerri still managed to finish 3^rd in Série A (they actually tied Juventus for 2^nd with 74 pts but lost the head-to-head record tiebreak) and to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.  The club, most specifically after the acquisition of David Beckham, showed moments of greatness on the pitch and showed the potential to be something special, which brings me to my point.


I’m going to go ahead and assume that for any ailing sports franchise, nothing could be more effective in improving the financial situation than winning.  Specifically, winning championships.  Ticket sales improve.  Jersey sales rise.  Endorsements come in.  You continue to grow your global fan base.  All things that translate to dollars.


With that being said, it is no secret that Italian football is on the decline.  In my opinion, the league title for Milan should be considered ‘low hanging fruit’.  If Kaká stayed on, they have a more than legitimate shot at winning the Série A title and from there, making a run in the Champions League.  Instead, they sold off the heart and soul of their squad that now, would be more than lucky to advance out of the Champions’ League group stage and qualify for next year’s competition.  It’s as if they just gave up on this year’s season and are beginning the rebuilding process.


Like I said, maybe Kaká wasn’t/isn’t the answer.  Maybe Berulsconi, Ancelotti, and the rest of the Milan management team were thinking just that.  But I just don’t buy it.  He’s arguably the second best player in the world right now and given the state of Série A as I just described, as well as Milan’s potential, I think it was the wrong move.


As far as the money goes and assuming they were operating under the same contention as I regarding the decay of Italian football, they could make it happen if they wanted to.  Obviously, given the times, it is difficult for anyone to borrow.  But for a club that is worth almost $1 Billion USD (€770 million), they couldn’t sell off something else from their long list of assets and perhaps borrow the rest?  Again, I don’t buy it.


Anyways, that’s enough about Kaká for now.  It’s over and done with and it’s time for Milan to move on, which brings me to my next complaint.  Why on earth have they not made a serious move for someone else to replace Kaká? Every attempt they have made since the sale has been half-assed at best!  This transfer season has been nothing short of embarrassing.


Exhibit A:  Shortly after the sale of Kaká, Milan made a strong push and quickly agreed to terms with Porto defenseman Aly Cissokho, of course, pending a medical examination.  However, the procedure that is most typically considered a mere formality actually negated the deal, stating that the player’s ‘teeth’ were a concern.  I’m sorry, teeth?  Yeah, I’m not seeing the connection between a player’s teeth and his ability to play football.  Can someone please enlighten me?


Exhibit B:  The Rosonerri’s next target was Wolfsburg striker Edin Džeko, who scored 26 goals in 32 Bundesliga appearances last year.  Reports were that Wolfsburg wanted in the neighborhood of €25 million for the up and coming Bosnian 23-year old which is understandable considering his obvious potential.  Apparently, despite continuous rumors surrounding Milan’s interest, he was out of their price range.


Exhibit C:  Emmanuel Adebayor was on the reported wish list but talks never got serious.  After signing a €40 million deal with Manchester City, I understand why.


Exhibit D:  Luis Fabiano had a great Confederations Cup for Brazil and was reported to have a real interest in coming to Milan.  However, Sevilla also took note of his recent performances and felt that €25 million range was a fair price.  Next contestant.


Exhibit E, F, G, H, ….Z: Samuel Eto’o, Trezeguet, Huntelaar, Pizarro, and even Peter Crouch.  None of them were in the budget for Milan.


I’m still not getting it.  The club sells one of the World’s top footballers, who was by far the best player on their team, and despite now having the cash to do it (€68 million that is), makes little to no effort to replace him?


Perhaps I am underestimating the severity of their situation.  At this point, that seems to be the only reasonable answer.  Either way, the only people to blame for the club’s recent (and seemingly inevitable) demise are the front office personnel of AC Milan.  It is their job to manage the finances of AC Milan and they failed.  However, when shit hits the fan, it’s their job to manage the crises as well, which is an area where once again, they have failed.


In my opinion, fans have every right to protest outside San Siro about their distaste for the direction the club is heading.  They have been and still are being continually let down.  I wouldn’t buy tickets either.  Why support someone who is clearly making no effort to support you.


Good luck Milan fans.  You’re in for the long haul.