By MATT STYPULKOSKI
With the English Premier League season winding down and Frank Lampard’s arrival in the United States just weeks away, details of the soon-to-be New York City FC man’s contract have leaked.
According to a report by SI.com, Lampard’s contract is worth $6 million per year and runs through the end of 2016. Because of his late arrival, his salary will be pro-rated this year.
That lofty salary puts Lampard among the likes of Kaka, Sebastian Giovinco, Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore, as well as future Los Angeles Galaxy-man Steven Gerard and NYCFC teammate David Villa, all of whom have salaries reported in the same range. But at 37 years old, Lampard is also the eldest of the $6 million-plus players within MLS.
Here are some more of Wednesday’s MLS news and notes:
ARISTEGUIETA ON VENEZUELA’S PRELIMINARYÂ COPA AMERICA ROSTER
Fernando Aristeguieta has been among the few bright spots during a dismal start to the Philadelphia Union’s season.
The Venezuelan striker, who moved to MLS on loan from FC Nantes as a young designated player in February, has made nine starts and scored three goals so far this season. As a result, he’s been called into his country’s preliminary squad ahead of the 2015 Copa America.
Aristeguieta, who has made 12 appearances and scored one goal for Venezuela, traveled back to his native country on Monday to train with the national team. In turn, he will miss Sunday’s match against D.C. United.
Venezuela’s final Copa America roster is expected to be announced on May 23. Should Aristeguieta make the squad, he would again be absent from the Union’s ranks during the summer, as the competition is scheduled to run from June 11 through July 4.
LOS ANGELES FC HIRES SCHLOESSMAN AS COO
Though the birth of Los Angeles FC as a real, on-the-field team is still a ways off, the club has begun assembling its front office squad.
Carl Schloessman, who has spent the past six years working with Live Nation Entertainment, has reportedly been hired as LAFC’s new Chief Operating Officer. As such, Schloessman “will be responsible for all revenue and operations, including revenue-generating initiatives for the club, such as sponsorships, marketing and ticket pricing.”
In his previous role as Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Schloessman managed Live Nation’s 40-plus clubs and theaters.
AVAYA STADIUM IN CONTENTION FOR VENUE OF THE YEAR
The San Jose Earthquakes’ new home has been mentioned in the same breath as such fabled buildings as Wembley Stadium, Camp Nou and the Maracanã.
That’s because Avaya Stadium has been named to the shortlist for Venue of the Year by TheStadiumBusiness Awards 2015. The Earthquakes’ building is one of six on the list, including the three legendary soccer cathedrals, the Sydney Cricket Ground and the San Francisco 49ers Levi’s Stadium.
Avaya Stadium is the only stadium to open in 2015 that is in contention for the award, which “recognizes successes and achievements over the past year.”
Old Don Garber had a team
NYCFC
And, oh, this team, it could not win
NYCFC
Well, Villa’s Here, but Lampard’s there
They really play like they don’t care
Old Don Garber had a team
NYCFC
They play their games in City blue
NYCFC
And do what City tells them to
NYCFC
With a contract deal here, and a transfer there
Here a loan, there a loan, everywhere a big loan
Old Don Garber had a team
NYCFC
Delete “deal”.
They play their games in a baseball park
NYCFC
And keep their supporters in the dark
NYCFC
With a new site here, and a new site there
Here a site, there a site, everywhere a new site
Old Don Garber had a team
NYCFC
It’s amazing how much hate is directed at this team while they are still so new and not very good yet. I can only imagine how bad it will be when the team eventually gets it together and wins a couple games.
I guess it’s just normal that everyone will always be jealous of New York City.
Btw, this old McDonald thing has been done before. Slight variations of someone else’s jokes are not as clever/creative/funny as you seem to think they are.
City fans will cry and scream
NYCFC
“to our new team you are so mean”
NYCFC
with snark over here, and a put down there
about their feelings we don’t care
Old Don Garber had a team
NYCFC
They thought “to good for MLS”
NYCFC
Now they’re worst than all the rest
NYCFC
With a loss at home and a lost away, even Lampart can’t save the day
Old Don Garber had a team
NYCFD
it’s ALWAYS funny when you copy something that’s already been done for 4th and 5th time. Just to be clear, that is 100% sarcasm.
At least the first three rip-offs didn’t feel so forced. These last two were just sad….
Yeah come to MLS! Then u gonna realize how much it sux!
After City fell out of the title race and Lampard started playing less but still stayed there, it became clear how low down on the totem pole NYCFC is in that organization.
Poor Lampard is wandering around the Brooklyn waterfront looking for a soccer stadium. Somebody needs to point him toward the Bronx and tell him to walk about eight miles and look for a baseball stadium.
If Altidore and Bradley are earning $6 million a year making no serious impact in Toronto…….why is it even an issue to some people that Frank Lampard (currently playing and making a major contribution for a team 2nd in the EPL) is making that kind of money (when it comes to soccer/achievements the 3 of them shouldn’t even be mentioned in the same sentence)?
I would contend people should be asking the same of Bradley and Altidore, rather than pre-justify Lampard pending doom.
He’ll suck in 2015
He’ll be really good in 2016
and then the contract is over as he approaches forty
Still, it’s okay. An expansion team signs DPs to fill seats and build media presence as much as for their performance on the field.
Once this team gets more established, they can’t do this kind of nonsense
Pay a 37 year old $6 million a year to save the worst team in MLS.
What could go wrong?
+1
Butts in seats and jersey sales come to mind for me. Then there’s probably a bunch more reasons why successful business people would do something like this.
Agree with Kosh. Look at the Galaxy, they’ve been getting under 20k/game in attendance some games this year. I know it’s tough to watch Baggio Husidic play 90 in person, but that’s still a poor number for the reining champs/a well established team in this league.
Aside from the crazy hit markets like Portland, Seattle and maybe KC, sexy name DP’s still make a difference in attendance and overall team publicity.
The reason that NY has needed sexy DP signings to draw, is because that is how they did it way back when.
The reason Seattle didn’t ( hard to say doesn’t when they signed Clint) is because they were a team. People came to watch the TEAM in the 70s and 80s.
They loved the team, they still love the team. Funny you leave off Vancouver, ditto there.
So when do they get off the “sign Pele” juice? Sooner would be better, because the Cosmos were able to win while juicing. The other NYs not so much so far.
They are bad… but are they the worst team in MLS?
Philly is just down I-95. Montreal is nearby too.
Actually, Lampard was an important contributor to ManCity this year, so he might be good if he can stand the travel, heat, and turf. My guess is that he isn’t a bust, but he also only helps NYCFC to become competent… no more.