OT - Stephen Ross's role in bringing European soccer to US soil
But to say it is surprisingly insightful is an unnecessary slap at SI. Sure, they have some douchenozels working for them (looking at you Michael Rosenberg), but they have always been known for their journalism, both written and photo.
My assumption, without research, was that this was just a glorified friendly. A different animal than El Clasico in La Liga entirely. It seems like a money grab - almost like an exhibition. But I'm open to correction on this.
(I know that any match between these two sides carries an "El Clasico" tag. But this is largely a summer money grab between to marquee teams. Oh, I'll watch, given the quality of the teams involved and the dearth of other sports that catch my interest in late July.)
From what I have read this game is a massive fraud. They are advertising the crap out of it using the stars from both teams. The problem is they won't even be playing. I get that it's a friendly, but if you are going to market it as this massive spectacle and have tickets start at $400 for obstructed view seats then they should be contracted to play.
It says that the each team's stars will be contractually obligated to play meanigful minutes. And don't you think players from Michigan vs. Ohio State playing even in a friendly would put in their all.... well, take that rivalry and step it up another notch. As mentioned in the article Barcelona vs. Madrid, likely the biggest rivals in any sport anywhere in the world.
A friendly is still a friendly. An exhibition is still an exhibition.
Even if they are played with a little bit of passion.
It's time for leagues like the EPL and La Liga to reciprocate what the NFL does, and actually play a meaningful regular season match in the US.