Marco Reus Staying With Borussia Dortmund A Huge Boost For Bundesliga
By Douglas Smith
@DFresh39
Getty Images
When the news broke on Tuesday that Marco Reus would be staying with Borussia Dortmund the fans in the Yellow Wall exhaled. The deal likely took the hottest commodity of the summer off the transfer market and allows BVB to focus on the fight against relegation. This deal may be just as big for the Bundesliga as a whole, which continues to expand its reach into the United States and various Asian markets. When a league pushes into new markets it needs stars to connect to fans. Bundesliga administrators will enjoy having Reus as a face of the league.
Perhaps the biggest news for the Bundesliga in the U.S. is that Fox regained broadcast rights beginning with next season. The deal includes rights to every match in the league season and management of online distribution. Reus will be used in multiple promotions and advertisements as a face of the league assuming that Dortmund can avoid relegation. He has the look and by all accounts has a great attitude. His loyalty to Dortmund will pull at the heartstrings of fans looking to connect with the league.
That’s not to say there aren’t other players who have a star quality that fans will flock to, but Reus leads the way. Over the course of this season as the Bundesliga increased its footprint on YouTube, especially for English-language videos, Reus has been the last player on all videos as the narrator asking the viewer to subscribe. Also, there are only two USMNT players who regularly see playing time in the league in Fabian Johnson and John Brooks.
The Bundesliga has one of the biggest teams in all of Europe in Bayern Munich. They now have a team in Wolfsburg that is spending money on big stars with an eye on competing for major titles for years. Soccer fans will connect with these teams, and it helps that there are efforts to reach into the United States and Asia. Bayer Leverkusen did a preseason tour in Asia and recently finished a training stint in Florida. Bayern opened up an office in New York. Still there are many fans who find it easier to relate to a player than a team.
Dortmund are still alive in the Champions League and Reus is healthy. Fans will have a chance to see him in action in the knockout rounds if they are not already using any of the streaming services that have recently brought the Bundesliga to the U.S. Now the rhetoric when Reus appears on television will be about a hometown boy staying with his boyhood club and that it is not just Bayern that keeps the big stars.
Dortmund and the Bundesliga are breathing a sigh or relief. Reus makes Dortmund better on the field and the Bundesliga more marketable as a league. Get used to seeing his smiling face.
Douglas Smith is a soccer writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @DFresh39, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.
Related:
Reus Contract Extension Huge Win for Dortmund
Arsenal Must Beware of Dangerous Middlesbrough
Arsenal have been handed a complicated tie against Middlesbrough in the fifth round of the FA Cup, and it is a game which the Gunners must beware the dangers that Boro bring to the table. Read More
Tim Sherwood Is A Major Gamble For Aston Villa
Aston Villa have appointed Tim Sherwood as their new manager, but the appointment is a major gamble for a whole host of reasons surrounding Villa right now. Read More
Bundesliga Steals the World Spotlight
Goals galore, dramatic late-minute winners, some of the world's best players, and battles throughout the table have made the Bundesliga possibly the best league in the world. Read More
Defending the USWNT is an Easy Formula
With the USWNT playing many out of position and those players constantly coming inside, it is easy to defend them and potentially counter attack down the wings. Read More
USMNT Cannot Let Klinsmann Leave
As the USMNT starts to show signs of improvement, it is crucial that they can hold onto their manager, Jurgen Klinsmann, through the 2018 World Cup. Read More
Aston Villa Fully Justified Sacking Paul Lambert
With just 13 games remaining to save their EPL lives, Aston Villa have made a fully justified decision in sacking Paul Lambert. Read More
5 Predictions For Celta Vigo vs. Atletico Madrid
Hoping to avoid a letdown after demolishing their city rival 4-0, Atletico Madrid face a tough test as they travel to Celta Vigo. Read More
Chelsea's Defense To Thank For Win Over Everton
Despite an average performance against Everton, it was Chelsea's defense that proved to be the foundation of a vital 1-0 win over Everton. Read More
Chelsea Getting Points By Winning Ugly
Chelsea haven't displayed their best attacking recently, but they are still getting results Read More
5 Bold Predictions For Real Madrid vs. Deportivo
Coming off a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of rivals Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid look to bounce back as they take on Deportivo La Coruna. Read More
Marco Reus Extension Big Win for Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund got a big win in this rough season by agreeing to a contract extension with Marco Reus Read More
5 Bold Predictions For Barcelona vs. Levante
Currently sitting one point behind league leaders Real Madrid, Barcelona face Levante with an eye on surging to the top of the La Liga table. Read More