Didier Drogba is "taking the unprecedented step of becoming football’s first player-owner at American club Phoenix Rising," according to Matt Law of the London TELEGRAPH. Drogba will play for one more season with Phoenix in the United Soccer League, "but has also become a co-owner in the club that was bought by Berke Bakay and a group of investors last year." Drogba had been "weighing up a number of offers to keep playing or step into coaching" since leaving Major League Soccer side Montreal Impact last October, but decided to take his career in a "new direction" by agreeing to a "unique" deal with Phoenix. The 39-year-old striker "will be involved in all boardroom decisions and will learn his new role on the job while continuing to play." He said, "It is a very exciting opportunity because it’s a good transition. Now, as well as being a football player, I have the chance to be a co-owner as well. It’s a great challenge, something new for me and I am looking forward to it." Drogba developed a "close relationship" with Chelsea Owner Roman Abramovich during his two "successful spells at Stamford Bridge" and believes he can learn from the Russian billionaire. Drogba: "Roman Abramovich always made the right decision, even when it was the most difficult decision. I think that is what I can learn from him. Not everything he has done has been popular, but it has always been for the benefit of Chelsea" (TELEGRAPH, 4/12). In N.Y., Rory Smith reported Drogba's contract "allows for either one or two more seasons as a player, before moving to a role either in the back office or on the club’s coaching staff." He has also "taken equity in the team," which aims to secure one of four MLS expansion slots in the next three years. Drogba said, "I can help them reach MLS. I have always liked challenges." He will "probably" become sporting director once he retires (N.Y. TIMES, 4/13).
ORDER OF THE PHOENIX: SOCCER AMERICA's Paul Kennedy wrote Phoenix Rising was a "last-minute entry into the MLS expansion race and has built a pop-up stadium near Tempe" (SOCCER AMERICA, 4/13). FOX SPORTS' Alex Dowd reported Phoenix Rising has the "investors, land for a stadium and now a big-name player/co-owner on board." Their "next big step will be securing the funding and approval for a stadium to build" (FOX SPORTS, 4/12).
