There’s just one problem: Financial muscle doesn’t much impress international soccer officials, who say their bid decisions are driven more by a concern for parity than profit.
“You may be confusing the world of football with the IMF or the World Bank,” says Michel Platini, a top executive of FIFA, the international governing body of international soccer.
“When it comes to decision-making in international football,” he says, “the U.S., like Germany or China, has as much power as San Marino, Vanuatu or Belize.” (Ouch!)
One of the misconceptions Americans tend to make about the World Cup is that its economics are similar to those that guide the Olympics. But there’s a big difference: the Olympics like to take in lots of money because they use the funds to support impoverished sports like swimming, which can’t support themselves. The World Cup, however, is a showcase for professional athletes who earn decent to fantastic salaries in private leagues around the world. This sport doesn’t count on the tournament for its livelihood.
Read the whole thing.
WSJ: The World Cup Doesn't Need Us
There’s just one problem: Financial muscle doesn’t much impress international soccer officials, who say their bid decisions are driven more by a concern for parity than profit.
“You may be confusing the world of football with the IMF or the World Bank,” says Michel Platini, a top executive of FIFA, the international governing body of international soccer.
“When it comes to decision-making in international football,” he says, “the U.S., like Germany or China, has as much power as San Marino, Vanuatu or Belize.” (Ouch!)
One of the misconceptions Americans tend to make about the World Cup is that its economics are similar to those that guide the Olympics. But there’s a big difference: the Olympics like to take in lots of money because they use the funds to support impoverished sports like swimming, which can’t support themselves. The World Cup, however, is a showcase for professional athletes who earn decent to fantastic salaries in private leagues around the world. This sport doesn’t count on the tournament for its livelihood.
Read the whole thing.