Lion Links: 12/30/16

Morning, folks. By now, everyone should be back to the hustle and bustle of daily life. While I hope that you had the greatest of holidays, 2016 is nearly over and memories of the past 363 days are playing on replay in your mind. Along with the occasional thought of a New Year’s resolution and what to drink on Saturday night, your brain is working overtime.

With all of that said, I am here to re-focus you on the present and without further ado, here are today’s links.

OCSC Co-Founders Announce Separation

It is with the utmost respect that we start our links with the announcement that Phil and Kay Rawlins are separating. This is a very delicate topic with a lot of personal feelings involved, and I will stay away from speculation and report solely on the facts and quotes.

“I am sad to announce that Phil and I are separating, I am staying on in my current role and remain dedicated to the club and the community. Please respect our privacy, thanks for your support, love Kay,” Kay Rawlins said in a press release.

Phil’s day-to-day club duties have been taken over by CEO Alex Leitao after Rawlins stepped down citing ‘personal reasons.’ Despite the news, he will be staying on the board as life-president and continuing to represent the club.

Sean St. Ledger’s Time May Be Up

After a very brief stint with Orlando City — five months to be exact — the career of former Lions defender Sean St. Ledger has been trending downward at an alarming rate. Despite the Colorado Rapids’ deep playoff run in 2016, St. Ledger was never a part of the picture, and has gone as far as admitting that his playing career may very well be over.

“It could all be over for me, I could get back fit but nobody would want to take me. I have to consider that,” St Ledger told The Herald.

Currently unemployed after being released by Colorado, the Irishman has since taken his UEFA “B” course in Dublin.

OCSC Among Top 10 Most Valuable Clubs in the Americas

Forbes Mexico ranked the most valuable clubs in North and South America and, as expected, this list is dominated by clubs based in the United States, Mexico, and Brazil.

Eight MLS teams landed in the Top 15, with the LA Galaxy unsurprisingly leading the way. Orlando City came in at No. 9 based upon four categories: the value of the players, broadcast rights, stadium infrastructure, and brand strength.

Brazil dominated this list with the top three teams. Corinthians was named the most valuable club in the Americas, coming in at $532.7 million.

Landon Donovan on the Move?

Stop me if you’ve heard this story before. After this season came to a disappointing end in the Western Conference playoffs, the LA Galaxy announced that the face of its franchise, Landon Donovan, would not return to the field next year.

While we all know by now that Donovan returned to the Galaxy to make a run at another title this season, it appeared as though the American legend would hang up the boots again — this time for good.

That is until he was linked to another MLS club. Where else would he play, you might ask? Real Salt Lake has reportedly offered Donovan a two-year deal to join the club as a Designated Player. With mostly younger unknown players on their books for 2017 after the departure of Javier Morales and Burrito Martinez, the idea of Donovan to Salt Lake City certainly makes a whole lot of sense for a team searching for a new identity. But apparently there is competition for Donovan’s services:

That just about does it for today. I hope that each and every one of you have recovered from the food coma that you forced yourself into over the holidays. In addition, I hope that 2016 was good to you and that 2017 will be even better.