Most expensive transfer ?

[Aberdeenredskin]

Excuse my ignorance of how the transfer system works in US sports (heck i have only just mastered the draft ! )

Arsenal football club (soccer) are rumoured to have turned down a transfer bid from Real Madrid and Barcelona of $93,803,904 (£50 million) it got us talking at work to how much players go for in US sports I know most players get traded for picks and player exchanges but does anyone know how much the record NBA NFL NHL etc records are and how this would compare with the bid for Henry (The france and Aresnal striker) ?

Cheers

[jrockster21]

In the NFL I believe its not allowed to trade players for cash. I know its regularly done in the NBA, but I've got no idea what the biggest amount was. Its probably not anywhere near 90 million though...that's like the entire salary cap of an NBA team!! :laugh:

[Mass_SkinsFan]

Excuse my ignorance of how the transfer system works in US sports (heck i have only just mastered the draft ! )

Arsenal football club (soccer) are rumoured to have turned down a transfer bid from Real Madrid and Barcelona of $93,803,904 (£50 million) it got us talking at work to how much players go for in US sports I know most players get traded for picks and player exchanges but does anyone know how much the record NBA NFL NHL etc records are and how this would compare with the bid for Henry (The france and Aresnal striker) ?

Cheers

What you have to understand is that the system here works totally differently than my understanding of the european futbol system.

The four major sports leagues here in the US (MLB, NFL, NHL & NBA) all have free agency systems and individual player contracts with individual teams. Players are not the permanent property of the league OR the team they play for. At some point in their careers the players have the option to choose where they play and for what amount of money to a degree. Additionally, player for cash transactions are pretty much forbidden in these sports. jrock would be a better source of info on the NBA (since I don't watch basketball), but the other three sports it's definitely not allowed as a rule.

The closest American sports fans have to worry about the transfer system is in Major League Soccer (MLS), which is our national, professional futbol league. I am not sure how their contract system actually works, but I do know that a couple of european teams/leagues have paid multi-million dollar transfers on US National Team players who were MLS property and acquired by european teams.

BTW - What's the Scottish view of American futbol (what we call soccer) at this point?

[Aberdeenredskin]

BTW - What's the Scottish view of American futbol (what we call soccer) at this point?

Speaking purely for myself I was amazed to look at the fifa rankings and find that the USA were 4th !

Im amazed that a player I rate as high as Landon Donovan is still playing MLS im sure he could play for most teams in the English Premiership (outside the big 4) Tim Howard warms the bench at Man Utd but Im aware of players like Reyna Wolff and Beasly as well but I think the rankings need re-adjusted as I refuse to belive you are the fourth best team in the world.

[Kilmer17]

The only comparison I could make would be a sale of a player from a Japanese team to a Major league Baseball team. I think Ichiro went for 25 mill, but I could be wrong.

Our "major" sports dont have equivalents in other countries. So it's impossible to compare a transfer from The Premiership to La Liga or Serie A with a trade from 1 Football team to another.

As for our ranking, FIFA uses a wierd system. It's not a very good one in most peoples eyes, but it is what it is.

They use results for the last 8 years. And as such, the US has a quarter final showing in the last WC. 3 Confederation titles. 1st place in our group qualifying. And a good showing in friendlies in that time period.

So we probably arent 4th in the world YET. But after this summer, we'll be 1st.

[Kilmer17]

Landon went to the Bundisliga for a few months and came back because he makes more money in endorsements playing in the states.

[Aberdeenredskin]

So we probably arent 4th in the world YET. But after this summer, we'll be 1st.

:rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:

[SkinsHokieFan]

So we probably arent 4th in the world YET. But after this summer, we'll be 1st.

I love the swagger in that bold prediction

It is going to be a fun WC, I can't wait

As far as transfers, Kilmer is right because there is no NFL equivalent in Mexico or in Europe

The NHL has transfers from places such as the Russian Hockey Federation, and pays multi million dollar fees there. But there are no team to team cash transfers within any major sports leauge

[Kilmer17]

:rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:


You have to believe.

If we make it out of our group, we can beat anyone on a given day.

Even Brazil.

[jrockster21]

jrock would be a better source of info on the NBA (since I don't watch basketball), but the other three sports it's definitely not allowed as a rule.

I know I've read about NBA trades that involve player A, player B and cash. But I think its only to even out the salary cap numbers of these players involved in the deal, and its no huge amount. I could be wrong though.

[Kilmer17]

I love the swagger in that bold prediction

It is going to be a fun WC, I can't wait

As far as transfers, Kilmer is right because there is no NFL equivalent in Mexico or in Europe

The NHL has transfers from places such as the Russian Hockey Federation, and pays multi million dollar fees there. But there are no team to team cash transfers within any major sports leauge


Of course it's bold.

It will take an PERFECT run on our part. But I think we can do it. Everyone is peaking at the right time. We have a great mix of veterans and young kids. Domestic players and Euro based players.

There isnt a single team int he world (yes, not even Brazil) that our guys are afraid of.

You think I have swagger? You should listen to Donovan and Gooch. Those two guys have basically been calling out the world over the last two weeks.

[Fatty P For The Pulitzer]

You can't trade a player for cash straight up in the NBA, or at least it never happens. Cash is thrown in so that the salaries of players/picks traded come within 15% of each other, and there may be a max amount of cash allowed in deals, I'm not sure. An NBA team can buy a player from an international club out of his contract, but it's rare that it exceeds $1M, especially now with the stock of Euro players plummetting. In MLB, you can trade a player for cash, but if it's over a certain amount ($2M, maybe), the commissioner (Selig) has to approve it. I can't think of a big player who was traded just for cash.

The US is not the 4th best team in the world, but I do think we're top 10, and a legit dark-horse contender. I don't share Kilmer's optimism that we can beat Brazil in the elimination round, but I do think we can play with any other team. As for Donovan, there was an article about him in the latest ESPN the Magazine. He can play in any of the top Euro leagues. His rights were bought from a team in the Bundesliga (Dortmund, I think) when he was 18, and he tried to play there twice. He came back to the MLS both times because he was unhappy in Europe. He also did not like being blamed for his team's failures in his second try in Germany, the '04-'05 season. He plays in LA, where he is from, and is happy there, and Bruce Arena does not seem to mind because he'd rather have a happy Donovan than a depressed one.

Kilmer, do you have any links for some of the stuff Landon and Gooch have been saying?

[Kilmer17]

I'll try and find some.

check bigsoccer.com as well. Loads of stuff there.

As for Brazil, if we win our group and they win theirs, we wouldnt meet until the final.

And I am confident in this statement. Kasey Keller has the ability to completely shut down an opponent on his own. He did it versus Brazil in a Gold Cup in 98 winning 1-0. IF IF IF he is in top form, I think we can score and hold on.

I actually think Holland would be a tougher game for the US.

[Mass_SkinsFan]

Speaking purely for myself I was amazed to look at the fifa rankings and find that the USA were 4th !

Im amazed that a player I rate as high as Landon Donovan is still playing MLS im sure he could play for most teams in the English Premiership (outside the big 4) Tim Howard warms the bench at Man Utd but Im aware of players like Reyna Wolff and Beasly as well but I think the rankings need re-adjusted as I refuse to belive you are the fourth best team in the world.

Thank FIFA and it's "unusual" ranking system. CONCACAF isn't exactly the most challenging group in FIFA but the games are weighted the same as a match against Italy, Brazil or any of the other perenial powers in the world. I don't think anyone really likes the ranking system FIFA uses.

In europe Donovan would be a second level player or a lower top level player on the team and in the league. Here in the USA he's a STAR of MLS. The fact that he's staying here, no matter whether it's money, fame, or whatever that is keeping him here is one of the things that is pushing the level of American futbol higher and higher. If we start exporting all our top international caliber talent to overseas teams, the sport is never going to grow here.

It's going to take a really good showing (semi-finals, finals, or Championship) one of these years in the World Cup to really make Americans start buying into futbol on a major level. The interest is there on a lower level now, but it's going to take a "Miracle on Ice" type event to really light a fire under the sport here in the States.

Especially when you realize that probably 65-70% of Americans couldn't tell you what MAJOR International Sporting event opens on June 9th and most of those who DO know, aren't rooting for the Stars and Stripes. They're rooting for Brazil or Argentina or wherever else their family came from.

[Kilmer17]

I hear that excuse made often about CONCACAF, but it's simply false.

We use a qualifying system that eliminates the minnows of our federation early. And requires 2 group stages. In Europe, they draw groups to include the likes of Malta, Faroe Islands, Scotland, Lichtenstein etc etc etc into their groups for final advancement.

And if ANYONE thinks it's easier to play in Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, Jamaica etc, than it is to play In MAlta, they have ZERO clue about the sport internationally and simple Eurosnobs.

Let England or France head to the Saprissa and have urnie bags thrown at them fro 5 feet away after spending the night in a hotel with no a/c and car horns blaring all night. Then play on a pitch that was used yeterday as a cow pasture.

I promise the US would have a better record against the Euro minnows than the Euro top clubs would have against the lesser Concacaf sides.

We cant even get England to send their A side here for a friendly. The Europeans fear the US.

[Kilmer17]

Also,

dont know if everyone is aware of what is going on in Italy.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=368474&cc=5901

Will CERTAINLY have some affect on the Italian preperation.

[SkinsHokieFan]

Of course it's bold.

It will take an PERFECT run on our part. But I think we can do it. Everyone is peaking at the right time. We have a great mix of veterans and young kids. Domestic players and Euro based players.

There isnt a single team int he world (yes, not even Brazil) that our guys are afraid of.

You think I have swagger? You should listen to Donovan and Gooch. Those two guys have basically been calling out the world over the last two weeks.


Context over the internet, a tough thing to convey

I love the bold swagger. I have a lot of optimism for this year's squad and believe that 2002 was the start of very big things for the US in the world cup.

The 2002 expierence, along with 4 years of having basically the same core grow together, and as you said in another post, Keller's ability to stand on his head (borrowing an NHL term) and shut down the opposition, I cannot wait till June 9th

Had Ollie Khan not stood on his head, I really believe we would have made it to the finals in 2002

[Kilmer17]

Context over the internet, a tough thing to convey

I love the bold swagger. I have a lot of optimism for this year's squad and believe that 2002 was the start of very big things for the US in the world cup.

The 2002 expierence, along with 4 years of having basically the same core grow together, and as you said in another post, Keller's ability to stand on his head (borrowing an NHL term) and shut down the opposition, I cannot wait till June 9th

Had Ollie Khan not stood on his head, I really believe we would have made it to the finals in 2002


Or if Ref Hugh Dallas had made the right call on the handball play, we would have made it as well.

But I digress........

[Aberdeenredskin]

A couple of side questions futball ? is that a given name for soccer ? or do most americans still call it soccer ?

I rate landon donovan and reckon he could be a squad player in most teams in the english premiership outside the top 4/5.

You have a very hard group to get out of and while I would like to see you Qualify I have my doubts you will make it out the group stage.

How easy is it to follow in the US following the Skins has got alot easier over here (Scotland) since satalite tv how easy is it for you to follow Soccer over there ?

[Mass_SkinsFan]

A couple of side questions futball ? is that a given name for soccer ? or do most americans still call it soccer ?

The vast majority of Americans still use the word soccer. Even the American professional league is called Major League Soccer. There are some people who do use the word "football" in some way or another to refer to the sport.


I rate landon donovan and reckon he could be a squad player in most teams in the english premiership outside the top 4/5.

Whereas, here in the US, Donovan is one of a handful of STARS in the entire league. He's also able to be a draw of interest for the National Team, both with the other players AND the fans.


You have a very hard group to get out of and while I would like to see you Qualify I have my doubts you will make it out the group stage.

It's going to be VERY difficult to get out of that group. I was really hoping for a somewhat easier draw, so that maybe we'd have a shot at the semi-finals. I just believe it's going to take a "Miracle on Ice" (1980 US Olympic Mens Hockey Team reference) moment to really get the American people interested in soccer/futbol.


How easy is it to follow in the US following the Skins has got alot easier over here (Scotland) since satalite tv how easy is it for you to follow Soccer over there ?

Following the US National Team can be kind of odd. The games are on tv when they play internationals or friendlies, but you have to know when and where to look, as they're not highly publicized. The media does not cover the team or even the sport on a regular day-to-day basis. A lot of the information has to come from the USSoccer.net website.

A couple of the sports networks carry weekly tv shows covering and recapping the week in the major european leagues. I'm not sure how much coverage there is on the satellite, since I don't have that service.

[Aberdeenredskin]

Thanks for that :cheers:

[Inxsive]

One big difference here is that the players in the American major sports leagues get no part of the transfer fee/trade. My understand, correct me if I'm wrong, in Europe, when a team pays a transfer fee to another team for a player that player gets a portion of that fee. Here his former team keeps all compensation being players, draft picks or cash. Sometimes, the new team will renegotiate the contract of the player but he doesn't see a dime of the trade.

[ashburnskinsfan]

You have to believe.

If we make it out of our group, we can beat anyone on a given day.

Even Brazil.

Kilmer ... you're missing an opportunity here. He's from Scotland, and he's knocking the US team? :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:

I'll repeat here the joke that was originally about Brazil and Scotland (before I converted it for Italy & USA):

It is just before the Scotland v Brazil game.

Ronaldino goes into the Brazilian changing room to find all his team-mates looking a bit glum.

"What's up?" he asks.

"Well, we're having trouble getting motivated for this game. We know it's important but it's only Scotland and we can't be bothered".

Ronaldino looks at them and says "Well, I reckon I can beat these by myself, you lads go down the pub."

So Ronaldino goes out to play Scotland by himself and the rest of the Brazilian team go off for a few jars.

After a few pints they wonder how the game is going, so they get the landlord to put the TV on. A big cheer goes up as the screen reads "Brazil 1 - Scotland 0 (Ronaldino 10minutes)". He is beating Scotland all by himself!

Anyway, a few more pints later and the game is forgotten until someone remembers "It must be full time now, let's see how he got on". They put the TV on.

"Result from the Stadium "Brazil 1 (Ronaldino 10 minutes) - Scotland 1 (Angus 89 minutes)".

They can't believe it, he has single handedly got a draw against Scotland!!

They rush back to the Stadium to congratulate Ronaldino. They find him in the dressing room, still in his gear, sat with his head in his hands. He refuses to look at them. "I've let you down, I've let you down."

"Don't be daft, you got a draw against Scotland, all by yourself. And they only scored at the very, very end!"

"No, No, I have, I've let you down... I got sent off after 12 minutes"

:D

[Kilmer17]

No, I took a well placed dig at Scotland when I was metioning the minnows of Europe.

I lumped them with Malta, Cypress and the Faroe Islands.

[ashburnskinsfan]

No, I took a well placed dig at Scotland when I was metioning the minnows of Europe.

I lumped them with Malta, Cypress and the Faroe Islands.

:laugh: I missed that. I think he must have too, otherwise it should have got a reaction. Scottish fans are very unhappy about the lack of international success by their team in recent years but they wouldn't see themselves down with Malta and the Faroe Islands.

[Aberdeenredskin]

Having just won the Kirin cup (drawing with Japan and thumping Bulgaria 5-0) we are not quite down with Malta - YET ! We have had very little sucsess lately because I belive we have found our natural level for years we played above it we are a country with a population of only around 5 million afterall, yet are ranked 12th at one day cricket, 9th in rugby union and 1st in snooker.

The country I belive that can hold its head up highest for punching above its wieght in terms of sucsess in Australia they top the commonwealth medals table, the are world number on cricket (test and one day), world number one at rugby league, number two rugby union, number one at swimming and on top of that their biggest participative sport is Aussie rules football - If anyone has never seen that I really suggest you look it up, its crazy fast and furious ! Their soccer team has qualified for the world cup this year and I would expect them to be better than the USA given the amount of Australian players who play top level football (futball soccer) over here.

Unfortunatly this year the Scotland at the world cup will be Jason Scotland Trinidad and Tombagos number 11 !

:dallasuck <-- which has nothing whatsoever to do with this thread but I think its something we should try and say as often as possible anyway !

Cheers