Transfer Window: An advertising wonder-scheme

“Did they sign him?”

“Have they released him from the club?”

“They sold too many players.”

“I bet they are going to break the club tranfer record this time.”

“Hell why did they sign this dummy?? He can’t even walk!”

Robin van Persie’s move to Manchester United from Arsenal: The never ending transfer saga this summer

Confusing as it may seem, this is just the glimpse of the euphoria during the ‘transfer season’. And finally it’s over. The transfer window is officially closed (until January when again the battle between clubs off the grass will rage on for some more days). Especially the transfer deadline day when we sit up all night and strain our eyes glued on the computer screen, just to watch which guy goes where and adds how many extra pounds (I’m talking money) to his bank balance. Even though we take up the pain to do that, we never complain about it. In fact, we (most of us) love it!

As a fan of any particular club, it is important to know about which player has come into the club and who has betrayed them (yes, it happens) or is thrown out. Add the ever growing media world who cater to the news-hungry fans and there you go!

More than the officially confirmed transfer news, speculations and rumors get more ‘page hits’ and ‘likes’! And there is no earthly end to the level of ‘speculations and rumors’ hovering around during this phase of time. They draw so much attention that many news websites have a special ‘transfer rumors’ section on their website. And why not? I bet any Manchester City fan would be ecstatic to hear that Lionel Messi will come to their club next season. Just kidding, rumor but not impossible.

The point here is the power this ‘transfer window’ possesses to make the fans stick to their televisions and computer screens even if there is no ball to kick around. A little help from the media and the clubs keep on generating revenues even during off-season (who would like to buy a new ManU ‘van Persie’ jersey??). No such glamorous transfer saga, no pre-season excitement. Even the pre-season matches seems less appealing than the happenings in the transfer market for a fan sitting at home.

If this strategy of transfer window (officially though) is being adopted by the less glamorous leagues (pointing at the Indian I-League), the clubs could generate lot more attention, recognition, revenue and what not! I personally feel I-league is an immature, semi professional league (true to some extent) and they need to learn from the big daddies at least about marketing themselves, which is so so important for a professional club to survive.

Well, at least I am happy and relieved that the transfer window is shut and we will enjoy some real football around, letting aside all the heart break and heart risking excitement about the summer signings (for some time though!).