Theres worse things than that happening in football. Marcel Sabitzer is probably the brightest young prospect in Austria, played for Rapid Vienna. He had a clause in his contract allowing him to speak with clubs outside Austria should a certain fee be met. Rapid denied Salzburg permission to speak to him, lo and behold RB Leipzig come in with a bid, sign him up and send him out to Salzburg on loan.
It makes it even more obvious and worse when you consider Ralf Ragnik is the sporting director for both Leipzig and Salzburg.
I can't see Emirates Marketing Project's New York franchise having a similar effect any time soon, but the concept of feeder clubs has gone to a whole new level.
In Austria Salzburg are crushing everything in their path - so far 6-1 home to Rapid, 5-0 away to Wiener Neustadt, 2-0 away to SV Ried, whilst Salzburg reserves - FC Liefering - sit top of the Austrian second tier. Throw RB Leipzig into the mix and its not pretty viewing for the rest of Austria. Leipzig are also seeing the German second division as nothing more than something to wave at whilst passing through, although they get their season off to a dodgy start drawing 0-0 at home against relegation candidates Aahlen.