Real Madrid at Gillette stadium
1. REAL DEAL: Pending approval of schedule changes and signing of contracts, Real Madrid will meet a team of MLS all-stars in this year's All-Star Game.
As reported in the Confidential several months ago, Real officials had expressed misgivings about playing on July 24, the original All-Star date, which initiated efforts by MLS to move the date of the game.
MLS has reportedly reached an agreement with Real to play in Gillette Stadium July 31, which would necessitate shifting the All-Star Game to that date and staging the scheduled July 31 league matches a week earlier.
AEG president Tim Lieweke semi-officially spilled the beans last month when he told Galaxy season-ticket holders about a proposed Real Madrid game against the Galaxy at the Rose Bowl. A date for that game has yet to be set.
One joke going around league offices speculated on whether Real being upset in the Champions League quarterfinals would lower its appearance fee or prompt the club to ask for more money to make up for the millions it lost by losing to Monaco.
Real could net more than $2 million for its U.S. appearances, including guaranteed money, a share of ticket sales and other game-related revenues, sales of club merchandise, and revenues stemming from match broadcasts.
__________________
|