In a quick-developing story on Friday, Sporting Kansas City announced the transfer of forward Krisztian Nemeth to Al-Gharafa SC in Qatar.
The idea of Nemeth leaving Kansas City, while always a possibility throughout the offseason, didn’t pick up traction until that morning, when Dom Dwyer posted a farewell message to his teammate on Twitter. The tweet was quickly taken down, but several hours later, the deal was confirmed.
As expected, Sporting KC fans didn’t take the news well.
But believe it or not, the sky isn’t falling. At least not yet. Fandom often blinds people to the fact that professional sports are a business, and this move, in essence, was a business decision made by both parties — one that also emphasizes Kansas City’s small-market status.