Polish superstar Robert Lewandowski is set to be unveiled to the public as a Chicago Fire player on Tuesday, July 14th. Sources have told MIR97 Media that they expect that he will be available for selection in the Fire’s game against the Vancouver Whitecaps two days later, but the team has declined to confirm that he will be available to play on July 16th.
In order to play, Lewandowski will have to receive both a visa and medical clearance.
The visa process is opaque and the time that it takes for a player to receive a visa varies widely. Employers – including teams like the Chicago Fire – trust immigration lawyers to help them navigate the process. Law firms can ensure that paperwork is properly completed and help players prepare for visa interviews. They can also use their knowledge of the system to speed things up – but in the end, the effect is closer to knowing which line is shortest and moving fastest, rather than being able to cut in line.
While medical clearance is often assumed to be a formality, it exists at the intersection of player health, team finances, and insurance and legal liability. Teams – and in the case of MLS, the league – take out extensive insurance policies to protect their investments in players. In the event that a medical uncovers certain issues, some of which may have persisted undetected for years, insurance companies might refuse to cover the player – or charge exorbitant premiums. They might also ask for more information, which can cause delays to the process.
In many ways, the Fire's that Lewandowski's timeline to a Fire debut would mirror that of LAFC’s signing of Son Heung-Min last summer. The South Korean star flew to Los Angeles on August 4th. He was then seen attending a LAFC match against Tigres a day later, officially unveiled on August 6th, and made his MLS debut against the Fire on August 9th after receiving a visa.
Notably, both South Korea and Poland participate in the US Visa Waiver Program, which, in Son’s case, enabled him to travel to the US – but not begin his work with the club – ahead of receiving a work visa.
Potential Debut, Concert Raising Ticket Prices
Ticket sales for the Lewandowski's likely debut on July 16th against Vancouver have been brisk. The team has said that they’ve continued to use dynamic pricing, as they have for several years now, and prices for that game, as well as the Fire’s other remaining home games, have noticeably ticked up since news of Lewandowski’s arrival broke.
One factor that is further driving up prices: The July 16th match features a post-game concert by DJ duo Two Friends. The Fire's concert series has typically helped raise attendance, including by fans who may not often (or ever) attend Fire games or other sporting events – and it also reduces capacity.
With a stage set up in Soldier Field's north end, 11,887 seats are removed or unavailable, per MenInRed97 media's count, reducing Soldier Field's titular 61,500 capacity to about 50,000, once the few hundred fieldside seats are factored in.
With demand high and supply constrained by the concert, prices have gone up significantly: At press time, seats in the 300 level – typically not sold during most Fire games – are on the direct market for roughly $100 plus fees, far more than what 100-level or 200-level seats have typically cost at Fire matches in recent years.
The Fire have said that there have been no discussions about canceling the format, moving it to a different date or changing the concert's format – for example, by having fans remain in seats while Two Friends perform on the field, with the team noting that many people had purchased tickets because of the artists well before Lewandowski's signing.
When contacted by MIR97 Media, the Fire noted that they have tried to offer a variety of ways to see Lewandowski's likely debut and other games, including a three game "Champions Pack" including the game against Vancouver (featuring Thomas Müller, a former teammate of Lewandowski's at Bayern) as well as games against Inter Miami (with Lionel Messi) and Orlando City (now featuring Antoine Griezmann) and a eight match plan for the Fire's remaining regular season home games, including a free 300-level ticket to the this game as well as other benefits. Prices for the eight game package range from around $300 for tickets in the 300-level to $700 for tickets in the 100-level.
