Theo is on the books of Key Sports Management, and is looked after by Colin Gordon the man who said "Football clubs and chairmen know who in the game is corrupt, so why do they still use them? I would question the motives of a large number of managers, chief executives and chairmen in the game". In a week when sports management companies and player agents come under the spotlight after a statement issued by Mike Newell the manager of Luton town football club, we ask what is involved in a deal involving the transfer a 16 year old kid to a top premiership club? Most regular fans who turn up week in week out to watch football in the uk don't like to dwell to long on what they describe as "those vile leeches" that are behind the move of top players preferring to base there support and loyalty on the game of old played during the 70,s and 80,s. The position of Southampton football club Saints are in a corner when it comes to keeping Theo their hand being forced to sell by the footballers agent and management company, Those agents are rumored to have issued an ultimatum to Rupert Lowe, either agree a deal with Arsenal, or Walcott will exercise a release clause in his scholarship contract, meaning he will become a free agent and Saints will only get compensation from a tribunal this is expected to be around 500,000 with a follow on payment of 500,000 after a certain number of games. The alternative is to sell, with Arsenal the front runners to bag the wonder kid after making an offer of 10 million. Chelsea are believed to be keeping a close eye on developments with there chairman Roman Abramovich rumored to be ready to step in with an offer of 15 million. So who could get what out of the Theo Walcott deal? Taking the transfer of Wayne Rooney who moved from Everton to Manchester united for roughly 25 million during August 2004 as an example: When Rooney joined United it was reported that Manchester United paid Rooney's agent an extra fee - "an incentive" - to ensure they got their man. United paid Proactive Sports Management a sum of 1.5m as recorded in the shareholders statement "Fees payable to Proactive Sports Management Limited in relation to both the acquisition of the player and negotiation of his personal terms", the amount was 2 x Rooney's first year wage. With such payments being made to player's agent's maybe it is up to the humble fan to speak out? Just think where that extra 20% on the price of your season ticket next season maybe going. As for Theo Walcott's management company as well as the signing on money paid to Key Sports Management and there agent Colin Gordon they will also receive payment for arranging deals for image rights ect, Theo already has a boot deal with Nike gained while he was 14 but you can be sure of more deals and transfer requests to follow as his management company try to do "what is in the players best interest". http://www.Theo-walcott.com January 13, 2006 |
