More Money, More Problems

Less than six weeks ago, Milan were on top of the world, having just won the Scudetto. The €1.2 billion sale of the club to RedBird and Jerry Cardinale threatened to turn everything upside down, but Elliott promised fans a smooth transition. In spite of a massive deal with Puma announced yesterday, there are important contracts expiring today and Blue Skye suing Elliott and threatening to delay the sale of the club. It seems that more money just makes more problems.

Who will stay and who will go?

Mercato Countdown

Each transfer window brings with it enough rumors and speculation to provide the clicks that feed the families of the poor starving journalists. Or at least they seem to survive somehow. I personally hate the mercato and find all of it a gigantic waste of everyone's time, at least until there is concrete information. But this particular mercato is more like a ticking time bomb. The sale of the club coincided with the renewal of Maldini and Massara, which has made life extra stressful for Milan fans, despite our recent Scudetto joy. With about ten days left until the transfer window officially opens, it has become a particularly nail-biting mercato countdown.

The most important renewal... ever?

Player Valuations: What's In a Number?

The transfer season is upon us, with the mercato officially due to open in two weeks. Rumors about players and their pricetags have been making the clickbait rounds for weeks or even months now, with some increasingly unrealistic player valuations being thrown around in the media. For example, reports say that Roma want €60 million for 22 year-old Zaniolo, who had two ACL injuries in less than a year. Meanwhile, Manchester City just paid a reported €60 million transfer fee for 21 year-old Erling Haaland. You do not have to be any type of an expert to know that one of these things is not like the other. But what is the deal with player valuations? What's in a number?

€60 million? One of these is not like the other

Pioli Is On Fire: The Evolution of Pioli

Before he was even officially appointed, fans started the hashtag #PioliOut trending on social media. With such a scarred and volatile fan base, he would have to do a lot to win their trust and affection. Fast forward three and a half years, one global pandemic, an infinite amount of injuries, a Champions League qualification, and now a Scudetto trophy and many personal awards later, the fans sing "Pioli Is On Fire" wherever he goes. He took the hot mess he inherited from Giampaolo and with the collective efforts of everyone at the club, was able to infuse them with an unbreakable winning mentality. Milan have witnessed the evolution of Pioli from a good, hardworking manager to a winning manager who has etched his name in the history of Milan.

From good coach to legend in less than three years

Paolo Maldini: Sporting Mastermind of Milan's Scudetto

Milan's Scudetto win is nothing short of a miracle. For a team that had the fifth highest wagebill in the league, one of the youngest squads, the most injuries, and then lost so many points due to egregious referee errors, it literally seemed impossible. Yet thanks to the magical combination of belief, grinta, and hard work, a team built by the genius of a Milan legend was able to accomplish the impossible. All of this while barely making a ripple in the January mercato, too, although rivals made major waves and splashed big cash to reinforce at a crucial point in the season. The Scudetto was won by a collective of hearts, minds, and hard work, but Paolo Maldini was the mastermind who put all of that into action.

The mastermind behind Milan's Scudetto win

Change of Owners: American Win or Cardinal Sin?

The official announcement was made today that American private investment firm RedBird Capital Partners has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase AC Milan from Elliott Management. RedBird's founder and managing partner, Gerry Cardinale signed the paperwork and also crucially met with Paolo Maldini amidst all of the media frenzy. The club is valued at €1.2 billion, despite not owning a stadium, and is the second most expensive club sale in history, according to journalist Gabriele Marcotti. However, the structure of the sale sees Elliott lending half the money to RedBird for the sale at a very high interest rate, with shares of the club and seats on the Board of Directors tied to the loan deal. So who is really in charge? Is Cardinale just a puppet for a continued Elliott control of Milan? Is this an American win or a cardinal sin?

Milan's 4th owner in just over 5 years