NYCFC: Embrace the Hate and Sign Mario Balotelli

It’s time for NYCFC to make some real noise and sign controversial striker Mario Balotelli.

Expansion side New York City Football Club will be the most hated team in all of Major League Soccer. It is inevitable. NYCFC are everything those in the “Against Modern Football” faction hate about the sport in 2014. The club is linked with Manchester City and the New York Yankees, two teams that, in the eyes of some, have histories of “buying” championships in leagues that don’t have hard salary caps. Add in that NYCFC are perceived to be the new flavor of the month of MLS, and opposing fan bases will have no problem in immediately rooting against the new boys of the league.

There are some among the supporters of the blue New York soccer club that would take offense to such comments when they shouldn’t. The Yankees never apologized for their “Evil Empire” days that saw them win all of those World Series titles. City have finished atop the Premier League table twice over the past three seasons without having any concerns about their reputation. NYCFC shouldn’t run from any and all negative opinions of the club.

They should run toward them, and they can start by acquiring striker Mario Balotelli.

Rumors have emerged that Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is already fed up with the front man. Why not, if you’re running NYCFC and have knowledge of the Designated Player rule, kick the tires and see how much it would take to acquire Balotelli from the Premier League side? City Football Club certainly have the money to pull off such a deal. Balotelli would be a dream signing for MLS and for any team in the league.

What is craziest of all about the notion is that Balotelli would probably OK the move for the right contract, one that NYCFC can afford to offer without thinking twice.

Balotelli reportedly took a pay cut to join Liverpool this past summer, meaning that a contract in the neighborhood of $40 million spread out over four years would, at the very least, attract the attention of the enigmatic striker. That would be overpaying for Balotelli, yes, but it isn’t silly money that will (probably) one day be offered to Cristiano Ronaldo by MLS after his best days have gone by. Besides, NYCFC could drop $40 million on MetroCards for free subway rides to and from games without feeling it.

Jun 20, 2014; Recife, Pernambuco, BRAZIL; Italy forward Mario Balotelli (9) looks back at referee Enrique Osses after he received a yellow card during the second half of their 1-0 loss to Costa Rica in a 2014 World Cup game at Arena Pernambuco. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

The reasons NYCFC would go to any lengths to acquire a player such a Balotelli are easy to understand. The club, first and foremost, needs to generate buzz among a New York City fan base that is as fickle as is any in the country. David Villa was, in his prime, a tremendous footballer, but he is not anything close to a star personality in the North American sports world. Frank Lampard is beloved among Chelesa supporters, but the Premier League veteran turns 37-years old next June. How much he will be able to contribute to NYCFC is a mystery.

Balotelli is 24-years old. He would, at 90 percent, be the best striker in all of MLS. Balotelli would be earning Golden Boot honors two years into his NYCFC career. He makes international headlines for his play on the pitch and for his antics off of it. Imagine, just imagine, Balotelli gallivanting around Manhattan night clubs throughout a weekend in January. Local newspapers and even sports talk radio personalities wouldn’t be able to ignore this legitimate superstar taking over New York. It would generate more legitimate buzz than NYCFC received when they announced their arrival in May of 2013.

I can see it now. Word gets out that Balotelli is hanging out in midtown Manhattan at The Football Factory, one of the biggest soccer bars in the city, on a Saturday night. The place fills to capacity. Pictures of Balotelli spraying champagne like he is Johnny Football flood social media platforms with the #NYCFC hashtag attached to them.

Talk about free advertising.

MLS being the retirement community of the footballing world has grown old. It does the league and its teams little favors. The time for MLS to stand up and take a risk on a player is now, and NYCFC are the perfect club to utilize for such an experiment.

Be the bad guys, NYCFC, that you’re already going to be. Be the heels. Flash the money that teams such as the Columbus Crew and Chicago Fire could only dream of spending. Go all-in on the reputation you already have and spend big for who would be the most entertaining player in MLS.

What’s most fun about the notion is that it works both ways as it pertains to how people would feel about NYCFC. On one end of the debate would be those furious that NYCFC was able to get Balotelli all because of who pays the team’s bills. At the other end, however, would be fans drawn to the team because of the presence of Balotelli. Anybody who doesn’t believe that a Balotelli NYCFC shirt would be the top-selling piece of MLS merchandise for several years is either fooling himself or out of touch with reality.

Would it be wasteful and even unnecessary spending? Sure. So what? It is not as if Balotelli is only a gimmick. A player with his talent and physical gifts joining NYCFC brings instant credibility to the club and to MLS. He would sell shirts, he would fill arenas around North America, and he would bury a plethora of memorable goals.

This all, of course, is one man’s idea. We don’t know if Balotelli would even welcome a move to MLS at this point of his career. You cannot help but admit, however, that the idea is more than intriguing.

Balotelli to NYCFC is perfect for everybody who watches and follows MLS. Make it so.

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