FIFA officials indicted for corruption. UPD: Sepp Blatter will step down as FIFA pres

[Muta]

Make no mistake, Canada's hosting of the 2015 Women's World Cup is very much a planned observation from FIFA and other governing bodies right now. If we support this event (and Canadians seem to be doing so), it is a very good indicator for 2026, should we be making a bid. After all these corruption scandals, having the tournament in a (less) non-corrupt and first world country like Canada is just what FIFA needs to get itself back on track.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Muta

Make no mistake, Canada's hosting of the 2015 Women's World Cup is very much a planned observation from FIFA and other governing bodies right now. If we support this event (and Canadians seem to be doing so), it is a very good indicator for 2026, should we be making a bid. After all these corruption scandals, having the tournament in a (less) non-corrupt and first world country like Canada is just what FIFA needs to get itself back on track.

Its going to be a completely different organization, committee and process by the time that comes around.

Right now no one in FIFA is watching the Women's World Cup they're too busy watching their rear-view mirrors for police lights.

[Addick]

Originally Posted by Locke

Its going to be a completely different organization, committee and process by the time that comes around.

I think Sepp is grooming his successor, might be too early to completely distance ourselves from the current regime. We might be in the clear as who would suspect the Canadians of playing both sides?

[Muta]

Originally Posted by Locke

Its going to be a completely different organization, committee and process by the time that comes around.

Right now no one in FIFA is watching the Women's World Cup they're too busy watching their rear-view mirrors for police lights.

Guess we'll agree to disagree on both points, then.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Canada will never solo host a World Cup. Far too costly, far more money to be made in America. Joint host will be the best case scenario (as it should be too).

[Addick]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Canada will never solo host a World Cup. Far too costly, far more money to be made in America. Joint host will be the best case scenario (as it should be too).

No matter where the finals are hosted, FIFA will make money. When you consider that the States will gain little from co-hosting, it begins to become a question of how much money Canada is willing to possibly lose.

[Senator Clay Davis]

FIFA makes the most money from playing in front of 75,000+ average venues. Yes they make money regardless, but a Canada solo host probably has 50,000 average max. So we're talking about a 25,000 ticket a match difference between Canada and the US. That is a ton of money. Especially when America has to spend around $0 to host.

[troutman]

http://www.businessinsider.com/fifa-...revenue-2015-3

The 2014 World Cup generated $4.8 billion in revenue for FIFA compared to $2.2 billion in expenses. Over the four-year cycle, the event turned a $2.6 billion profit.

FIFA made $2.4 billion in TV rights fees, $1.6 billion in sponsorships, and $527 million in ticket sales.

If my math is right, tickets accounted for 11% of revenues.

[Addick]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

FIFA makes the most money from playing in front of 75,000+ average venues. Yes they make money regardless, but a Canada solo host probably has 50,000 average max. So we're talking about a 25,000 ticket a match difference between Canada and the US. That is a ton of money.

Is ticket revenue their largest source of income during a WCF? Either way, you do make a good point. However, the reduction in supply could partially be recovered via increased ticket prices.

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

Especially when America has to spend around $0 to host.

That's irrelevant to FIFA as they wouldn't be sharing any costs.

[nik-]

Assuming sell outs for every game and $100 ticket prices, 25000 extra people a game is $160 million. That's a lot to make up.

[GirlySports]

yeah increased ticket prices

and $160 million out of 5 billion isn't that big of a deal.

It's tv and sponsorships.

I have an out of the blue prediction. I think the 2018 World Cup will be moved to Australia.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by Addick

That's irrelevant to FIFA as they wouldn't be sharing any costs.

No doubt, but good luck selling the Canadian public on throwing billions to host a soccer tournament. Winter Olympics is an easy sell, there's a kick ass hockey tournament out of it. World Cup? Sounds like a white elephant if there ever was one.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

No doubt, but good luck selling the Canadian public on throwing billions to host a soccer tournament. Winter Olympics is an easy sell, there's a kick ass hockey tournament out of it. World Cup? Sounds like a white elephant if there ever was one.

Come on, this isn't some silly CONCACAF tournament. It's the freaking World Cup. It's not that hard of a sell. Even people who don't like soccer tune in for the World Cup.

[Senator Clay Davis]

It's an exceptionally hard sell. Forget soccer, just think of the cost required to be able to host the World Cup. At present, Canada has literally zero stadiums that meet FIFA requirements for World Cup stadium. None. So the cost to upgrade/build the required stadiums is going to billions of dollars. And then there's security...

That's likely the future of World Cups/Olympics, a rotation between countries with the established infrastructure to handle the event. But more and more countries are starting to realize what a spectacular waste these events are economically. If this were ever put to a vote it would get overwhelmingly voted down.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Senator Clay Davis

It's an exceptionally hard sell. Forget soccer, just think of the cost required to be able to host the World Cup. At present, Canada has literally zero stadiums that meet FIFA requirements for World Cup stadium. None. So the cost to upgrade/build the required stadiums is going to billions of dollars. And then there's security...

That's likely the future of World Cups/Olympics, a rotation between countries with the established infrastructure to handle the event. But more and more countries are starting to realize what a spectacular waste these events are economically. If this were ever put to a vote it would get overwhelmingly voted down.

Okay, when you put it that way it makes a lot more sense than the "Canadians don't care about soccer" angle. I still think you might be underestimating the shortsightedness of the general public.

[Senator Clay Davis]

I think co-hosting with the US is realistic. I think solo hosting is a pipe dream. I probably am underestimating the short-sightedness of the public, but I just think most people are realizing these are vanity events that dictator/borderline dictator controlled countries can throw billions at because they have no one to answer to unlike Western countries where the political consequences could be harsh.

[GirlySports]

When the US hosted in 94 nobody knew anything. Yet it sold out.

[CroFlames]

Why would America agree to a joint host with Canada? They could simultaneously host 2 World Cups, never mind sharing only one with Canada.

I hope the US gets awarded the WC. I would be so happy! Obviously I hope Canada gets to host, but I think that's a pipe dream.

[Weitz]

I doubt Canada would ever agree to get grass in all their venues. And unlike the womans world cup, which had no other potential hosts, it won't be an option.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by troutman

http://www.businessinsider.com/fifa-...revenue-2015-3

The 2014 World Cup generated $4.8 billion in revenue for FIFA compared to $2.2 billion in expenses. Over the four-year cycle, the event turned a $2.6 billion profit.

FIFA made $2.4 billion in TV rights fees, $1.6 billion in sponsorships, and $527 million in ticket sales.

If my math is right, tickets accounted for 11% of revenues.

Thats the key right there, ticket sales are basically irrelevant, they could hold the World Cup on a floating barge in the Pacific for all the difference ticket sales make.