Perhaps Manchester United should consider staying at Chungking Mansions if they visit Hong Kong next summer. After all, it costs first-class accommodation prices to stay at this landmark these days. But this is what the Red Devils want if they are to come here: first-class accommodation, first-class travel, and oh, not to forget, the trifling sum of US$3 million as appearance fees.
It is not surprising then that the Hong Kong Football Association has baulked at the absurd price. It is outrageous that United should ask for this sort of money to play one game - a pre-season friendly at that. The HKFA should tell the English Premier League giants to take a hike.
Manchester United may be the most popular team in the world, but it would be verging on the criminal to pay them US$3 million for a friendly, with the added costs of flights and hotel accommodation to boot. No team are worth this kind of money, not until Hong Kong has a stadium capable of filling at least 55,000 fans.
HKFA chairman Brian Leung Hung-tak was on the money when he said the economics just didn't work with the current capacity of the So Kon Po stadium. At 40,000 seats, Leung said, the HKFA would need to price a ticket at HK$1,000 to met United's demands.
Let's do the maths. If tickets were priced at HK$1,000, it would bring in revenue of HK$40 million. Take 20 per cent (HK$8 million) away as hiring costs - which we have always maintained are shocking - charged by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and that would leave a balance of HK$32 million. Pay Manchester United their claim of HK$24 million (US$3 million) and you are left with HK$8 million.
Once the costs of airfares and hotels - rooms at Chungking Mansions are going for HK$3,000 for a night these days because of strong demand for accommodation - are deducted for a party which will be more than 60-strong, the HKFA will be left with chump change. All this assuming the fans would flock in at HK$1,000 a ticket.
When Chelsea, Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers turned up for the Barclays Asia Trophy this summer, when they played alongside domestic champions Kitchee, the most expensive tickets were priced at HK$460, and this to watch two games a day. Fans are unlikely to pay HK$1,000 for one game, even to watch Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand up close and personal.