Full 90: Amid sport, a global unifier, racism continues to divide

Actions speak louder than words.

During a week soiled with racism in sports, one commissioner, Adam Silver, appeased the public with his banishment of Los Angles Clippers owner Donald Sterling, while one player’s actions, Barcelona’s Dani Alves, ignited a social media campaign to fight racism in soccer. Adam Silver’s decision to ban Sterling will serve as the template for the league’s zero-tolerance policy for racist behavior. The commissioner’s action has been met with great support by team owners, players, and fans worldwide. Conversely, a battle to erase longstanding racism in soccer is only just beginning.

Full 90: Barca Slapped with 14-month Transfer Ban

Football’s golden-child was slapped with a 14-month ban for the illegal signing of international minors. What came as a shock to many Barcelona fans, the Catalonian-club should have seen this coming. After all, it was a year ago that FIFA President, Sepp Blatter, publicly warned Barcelona of amending its unethical recruitment tactics. Apparently Barca didn’t think FIFA would act on its words.

Full 90: Madrid rated top revenue-generator by Deloitte Football Money League; 9th year running

Real Madrid sits atop Deloitte’s Football Money League for the ninth year in a row with €518.9 million in revenue last season. The Football Money report lists the top 20 revenue generating clubs worldwide as it examines three forms of revenue: broadcasting, commercial, and matchday. This 17^th edition of Football Money features clubs from England (6), Italy (4), Germany (4), Spain (3), Turkey (2), and France (1). Yes I said, Turkey. The Money League is considered to be the “most contemporary and reliable analysis of the clubs’ relative financial performance” and is composed by Deloitte’s Sports Business Group.

Global Scope: FC Barcelona's Corporate Sponsorship

If there is one thing every team in all the sports leagues around the world have in common is the need to get money to build a competitive team. Even though they are regarded by many fans as the greatest football club in the world, they are no different from everyone else in their quest for the most lucrative deal out there. One could argue that they had been somewhat different, because during the club's 113 year existence they kept a tradition of avoiding corporate sponsors on their jerseys. Times have changed.