Wal-Mart

[24].
. He has since plead guilty to five counts of wire fraud and one count of filing a false tax return related to embezzlement and theft from Wal-Mart while serving as a member of its board.
. Former members of the board of directors of Wal-Mart include Hillary Clinton (1985-1992), who also worked for Wal-Mart as a lawyer, [22] and Tom Coughlin, who went on to be vice chairman [23].
. The presence of unions and the difficulty obtaining building permits are two possible reasons for this lack of success. A columnist for the sports daily Olé welcomed Maradona's hosting a TV show in 2005, noting that "for the first time, he seems to have found his place in the world outside the football pitch".

In Germany, however, after eight years in the market, Wal-Mart's yearly revenue is still less than one-tenth of the leading retailer, EDEKA. This quote from former teammate Jorge Valdano summarizes the feelings of many:. ASDA in the United Kingdom is the largest of the international businesses by sales. Hounded for years by yellow journalism, Maradona even fired a compressed-air rifle against reporters who, so he claimed, invaded his privacy. Dollars):. Broadcaster Alejandro Dolina was the first to denounce the unfairness of this treatment. Current store counts and revenue for Fiscal Year Ending January 31, 2005 (revenue amounts in U.S. Maradona was renowned for his modesty, and worked until he turned ninety, so the comparison was often unfavorable to the footballer.

Wal-Mart operates 5 major retail formats under 3 retail divisions:. Dr. He believes that Wal-Mart is merely a symbol of capitalism and success that leftists attack in order to associate capitalism with "exploitation" and "unfairness" to further their own big government/socialists objectives. Commentators in Argentina have often compared Maradona to Esteban Laureano Maradona (1895–1995), a physician who helped indigenous communities achieve better health standards, and was the recipient of the 1987 UN Medicine for Peace prize. He compares this criticism to the same attacks upon Hummer SUVs while ignoring the issues with many other gas guzzling competitors like old cars the poor could only afford. Tens of thousands more have become members via the Church's official web site. According to Jay Nordlinger of the National Review, criticism of Wal-Mart is more about what Wal-Mart represents; the sucess of capitalist enterprise and how Wal-Mart is the largest retail store in the world rather than what it actually does. - "despues de Diego" or After Diego - for its founding 200 members.

Specific areas of controversy include the company's product selection; treatment of suppliers, competitors, and employees; impact on local communities, and effects on world trade and globalization. In Buenos Aires, fans organized the "Church of Maradona." Maradona's 43rd birthday in 2003 marked the start of the Year 43 D.D. Some praise Wal-Mart for benefiting consumers, while other criticise it for being harmful to employees, the community, the economy, and the environment. When scolded by a friend for taking the prank too far (by elaborating on the passion of Jesus), the fake priest retorts: "But I was talking about Maradona". [20]. In the Argentine film Son of the Bride (El Hijo de la Novia), an actor who impersonates a Catholic priest says to a bar patron: "they idolized him and then crucified him". [19] And, this savings has the largest effect on the poor since the average Wal-Mart customer earns $35,000 a year, compared with $50,000 at Target and $74,000 at Costco. In Argentina, Maradona is often talked about in terms reserved for legends.

However, that $4.7 billion is overwhelmingly offset by the $263 billion it has saved Americans from spending from 1985 to 2004, ($2,329 per houshold) according to a Global Insight study. Ever since 1986, it is common for Argentines abroad to hear Maradona's name as a token of recognition, even in remote places. The efficiencies created 210,000 jobs that would not otherwise exist, but at the same time reduced take-home pay for all retail workers (including the company’s competitors) by $4.7 billion. Bush's presence in Argentina, wearing a Stop Bush T-shirt. Wal-Mart increased net consumer purchasing power by $118 billion in 2004. He has declared his opposition to imperialism, notably during the 2005 Summit of the Americas in Mar del Plata, Argentina, where he protested George W. Additional findings from the Global Insight study include: Wal-Mart increased the US economy's overall productivity by three-quarters of a percent by highly efficient distribution systems and pressure on suppliers to be more efficient. He became friends with Fidel Castro while in treatment in Cuba, and has a tattoo of Ernesto Che Guevara on his right arm.

The study indicates that "nominal wages are 2.2% lower, but given that consumer prices are 3.1% lower, real disposable income is 0.9% higher than it would have been in a world without Wal-Mart." (Global Insight Study). In later years, Maradona has shown sympathy to left-wing ideologies. Also in that time period, it is responsible for the creation of 210,000 net jobs for the economy. Since he seldom used his right foot for any decisive action, defenders were confounded the few times he did. From 1985-2004, Wal-Mart "can be associated with a cumulative decline of 9.1% in food-at-home prices, a 4.2% decline in commodities (goods) prices, and a 3.1% decline in overall consumer prices" and, that this has saved consumers $263 billion in that time frame ($2329 per household). Maradona's kicking had a mixture of precision and power that enabled him to score many free kicks. economy (Several notable economists oversaw the study, including both political conservatives and liberals [18]). Another trademark was the Rabona or reverse-cross pass (shot behind the leg that holds all the weight), with which he provided several assists, such as the powerful cross for Ramón Díaz's headed goal in the 1984 friendly match against Switzerland.

A 2005 study by Global Insight, the world's largest economics organization, that was commission by Wal-mart found that the company has had a positive net economic impact on the U.S. One of Maradona's trademark moves was dribbling full-speed as a left wing, and on reaching the opponent's goal line, delivering accurate passes to his teammates that many times proved lethal. In 2004, the University of California, Berkeley published a study which asserted that Wal-Mart's low wages and benefits resulted in an increased burden on the social safety net, costing California taxpayers $86 million.[17]. In Maradona's time defenses became more athletic, so both dribbling and securing possession of the ball required additional speed and the ability to think under stress. Basker's study did not distinguish between low-paying and high-paying jobs. His goal against Italy in the 1986 World Cup demonstrated this. Basker concluded that the net change in the number of jobs was not significant. Maradona could convert fragile possessions into goals.

Basker found an average decrease of 30 retail jobs in neighbouring counties and 25 wholesale jobs in the entered county. He was also a wizard with the ball and could manage himself in limited spaces, attracting defenders only to quickly dash out of the melee (as in the second goal against England), or pass to a free teammate who would take the ball and score, like Burruchaga did to secure the 1986 World Cup. Half of this increase disappeared as other retail establishments closed over a five-year period. This is illustrated by his two goals against Belgium in the 1986 World Cup. Basker found that Wal-Mart's entry into a county increased net retail employment in that county by 100 jobs in the short term. His strong legs and low center of gravity gave him additional advantage in short sprints. A 2002 study[16] by Emek Basker of the University of Missouri examined the impact of Wal-Mart on local employment. Short and stocky, Maradona had a very strong physique and could withstand physical pressure better than almost all players.

The next largest employer employed the parents of less than 800 children in the program.[15]. When Maradona resumed public appearances shortly afterwards, he displayed a notably thinner figure. More than 10,000 children who qualified for the program had parents working at Wal-Mart. On March 6, 2005, it was announced that Maradona underwent gastric bypass surgery in a clinic in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia. In 2002, the state of Georgia's survey of children in the state's subsidized health care system, PeachCare, found that Wal-Mart employed more of the parents of these children than any other employer. Maradona has always had a tendency to put on weight, and has displayed a remarkable level of obesity since the late 1990s. Dean found that point out that though Wal-Mart openings cause some small businesses to close by offering lower prices, it also creates opportunities for other small businesses and that as a result, "the process of creative destruction unleashed by Wal-Mart has no statistically significant impact on the overall size of the small business sector in the United States" (the researchers also claim that the Stone study is flawed) [14]. He returned to Cuba in May.

Sobel and Andrea M. After he showed improvement, Maradona was taken off the respirator on April 23, and remained in intensive care for several days before being discharged on April 29. In 1997, Stone found that small towns "lose up to 47 percent of their retail trade after 10 years of Wal-Mart stores nearby."[12] In [2003], Stone collaborated with collaborated with Georgeanne Artz, also of Iowa State University and Albert Myles of Mississippi State University to show that there "are both positive and negative impacts on existing stores in the area where the new supercenter locates."[13] A study by Russell S. Days after the heart attack, a nurse was caught taking photos of Maradona with a cellular telephone and was promptly fired by the hospital managers. Stone of Iowa State University has published several studies on Wal-Mart. Scores of fans gathered around the clinic. Kenneth E. On April 18, 2004, doctors reported that Maradona had suffered a major heart attack following a cocaine overdose; he was admitted to intensive care in a Buenos Aires hospital.

Several studies have been conducted to determined the nature and extent of this effect. Between 2002 and 2005, Maradona spent most of this time in Cuba. As Wal-Mart is an enormously large business, it has a significant impact on economies, especially in the United States. Since the 1990s, Maradona has been battling a cocaine addiction, which included spells in Swiss and Cuban detox clinics. Deaver who formerly worked on behalf of Ronald Reagan, Leslie Dach who worked on behalf of Bill Clinton, and Robert McAdam who worked on behalf of the Tobacco Institute [11]. In marked contrast to the athleticism he showed during his years as a football player, since his retirement Maradona has been plagued by a series of health problems. Operatives hired include Michael K. [4], [5].

Edelman has set up an internal "war room", a rapid-response public relations team, staffed with high-profile political operatives to respond to negative media attention. After the divorce, Claudia embarked on a career as a theater producer, and Dalma is seeking an acting career; she has expressed her desire to attend the Actor's Studio in Los Angeles. It was reported in the New York Times on November 1, 2005 that in response to increased criticism the public relations firm Edelman had been retained. [3]. In 2005, Wal-Mart officials embarked on a public relations campaign to counter some of the criticism it receives, through its public relations website as well as through television commercials which show employees who have had a medical emergency and have been sent by Wal-Mart to the Mayo Clinic. Diego had spells on trial with Blackburn Rovers and Dunfermline Athletic. Different explanations have been offered for this success:. (The Italian courts had so ruled in 1993, after Maradona refused to undergo DNA tests for proving or disproving his paternity.) He met Diego for the first time in May 2003 after the 17 year old tricked his way onto a golf course in Naples where Maradona was playing.

Its stock has dropped more than 20% since then, closing under $50 in August 2005. Naples, 1986), as was claimed by his mother, Cristiana Sinagra. Since then its stock has climbed from 5 cents (split adjusted) to a high of $63 in March 2002. During the divorce proceedings, Maradona admitted he was the father of Diego Sinagra (b. Wal-Mart went public in 1975. [2]. Sam Walton's family's holdings in Wal-Mart if combined would comprise the nation's largest fortune; at $100 billion combined they are significantly ahead of Bill Gates. Diego and Claudia traveled together to Napoli for a series of homages in June 2005.

Wal-Mart also does 20 percent of the retail toy business. Daughter Dalma has since asserted that the divorce was the best solution for all, as her parents remained on friendly terms. $51 billion). Diego and Claudia divorced in 2004. Wal-Mart is now the largest grocery chain in the U.S., with 14 percent of all grocery sales -- nearly twice the sales of Kroger ($95 billion vs. In his autobiography, Maradona admits not always being faithful to Claudia, even though he refers to her as the love of his life. workers.[5] According to Wal-Mart's website, Wal-Mart provides insurance to more than 1 million people.[6]. 1989).

According to an October 2005 article in BusinessWeek, Walmart's health insurance covers 44% or approximately 572,000 of its 1.3 million U.S. 1987) and Giannina Dinorah (b. At some Sam's Club these employees inspect the contents of the shopping carts of exiting customers. Maradona married long-time fiancée Claudia Villafañe on November 7, 1989 in Buenos Aires, after she gave birth to their daughters, Dalma Nerea (b. All Wal-Mart stores in the United States have employees referred to as "People Greeters." They welcome people to the store and help prevent shoplifting. Almost all guests were drawn from the worlds of football and show business. Wal-Mart refers to its employees as "associates," and encourages managers to think of themselves as "servant leaders." Each shift at every store, club, and distribution center (theoretically) starts with a store-wide meeting where managers discuss with hourly employees daily sales figures, company news, and goals for the day. In subsequent programs, he led the ratings with only one exception.

However, this proposal was rejected by the city councillors [4] on June 28, 2005 for several reasons including worry over the possible negative impact to small businesses and a potential increase in traffic as customers drive longer distances to go shopping. His main guest on opening night was Pelé; the two had a friendly chat, showing no signs of past differences. This design, too, included wind turbines, geothermal heating and collecting rainwater. On 15 August 2005, Maradona made his debut as host of a talk-variety show on Argentine television, La Noche del 10 ("The Night of the #10"). An environmentally-friendly design for a Wal-Mart in Vancouver, BC, Canada was proposed. Maradona remains aloof of day-to-day activities. Critics, such as the Institute for Local Self-reliance [3], while acknowledging that the features in the new stores are an improvement, still contend that Wal-Mart practices increase driving, and that it has a poor record of locating stores on environmentally sensitive sites, especially wetlands. With Maradona staying very close to the players, Boca went on to win the 2005 Apertura title, the Copa Sudamericana and the Recopa.

The buildings also include many other energy and cost-saving technologies. His contract began 1 August 2005, and one of his first reccomendations proved to be very effective: he was the one who decided to hire Alfio Basile as the new coach. Recently, Wal-Mart has designed two experimental stores [2], one in McKinney, Texas, the other in Aurora, Colorado, which feature wind turbines, photovoltaic solar panels, and biofuel-capable boilers. On 22 June 2005, it was announced that Maradona would return to Boca Juniors as a sports vice president in charge of managing the First Division roster (after a disastrous 2004–05 season, which coincided with Boca's centenary). The WFF has also donated to advocacy groups promoting school privatization, such as a $3 million donation in 2003 to the Knowledge Is Power Program. Maradona has won other polls, including a 2002 FIFA poll in which his second goal against England was chosen as the best goal ever scored in a World Cup; he also won the most votes in a poll to determine the All-Time Ultimate World Cup Team. From 1998 through 2003, the WFF contributed $25,000 to the Heritage Foundation, $15,000 to the Cato Institute, $125,000 to the Hudson Institute, $155,000 to the Goldwater Institute, $70,000 to the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation, $300,000 to the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, $185,000 to the Pacific Research Institute for Public Policy, and $350,000 to the Evergreen Freedom Foundation. Even though Argentine officials have claimed that FIFA hinted that it would grant the request, the authorization was denied.

Also in 2004, Alice Walton donated $2.6 million to the Progress for America PAC, which supported the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. In 2001, the Argentine Football Association asked FIFA for authorization to retire jersey number 10 as a homage to Maradona. Walmart's company political action committee, the second largest corporate donor to the GOP, gave away $2.1 million in 2004, compared to $100,000 in 1994. (For more on FIFA's handling of the issue, see this Sports Illustrated article.). The Walton Family Foundation (WFF) gave away $106.9 million in 2003, twice as much as in 2000. Maradona cried foul and left the awards ceremony as soon as his prize was awarded. According to the November 21, 2005 issue of The Nation, recently both the Arkansas-based company and the Walton family have elevated their charitable giving. Then, in an unannounced move, FIFA appointed a "Football Family" committee, which voted to elect Pelé alongside the Argentine.

About $1.5 million in emergency aid was given to displaced employees, and employees displaced by the storm were offered work at Wal-Mart locations elsewhere in the country. In the same year, Maradona was voted Player of the Century in an official FIFA poll conducted on the Internet, garnering 53.6% of the votes. An emergency contact website was set up by Wal-Mart to help locate displaced persons, accessible by Internet and at every store in the country. In 2000, Maradona published his autobiography Yo Soy El Diego ("I am El Diego"), which became an instant bestseller in his home country. In addition, an estimated $3 million in merchandise was donated to victims in several states, and in some cases the corporation was able to provide supplies before the federal government. Maradona and Coppola parted ways acrimoniously, and they still refer to the end of their relations as an "open wound". These donations made it the largest single corporate contributor. Coppola oversaw the biggest contracts of Diego's career, but also was involved in the drug scandals.

After the 2005 Hurricane Katrina disaster on the United States Gulf Coast, Wal-Mart donated $2 million to the Salvation Army and the American Red Cross and $15 million to the Bush-Clinton Hurricane Katrina Fund for a total of $17 million. After breaking up with Cyterszpiller, Diego hooked up with Guillermo Coppola, a bank employee who started representing players as a hobby and evolved into a major agent. More than 90 percent of cash donations from Wal-Mart Stores and the Wal-Mart & SAM'S CLUB Foundation target local communities. On his advice, Maradona started charging for interviews, a move that generated some controversy. The typical Supercenter channels $30,000 to $50,000 a year to local causes and events. He set up Maradona Producciones but did not score any major successes with merchandising, as counterfeiters would quickly imitate any product that came on the market. Unlike most corporate donors, Wal-Mart does not provide a figure for its corporate contributions; instead Wal-Mart's reported contributions include those made by its customers in a larger aggregate figure. Jorge Cyterszpiller, a childhood friend, was Diego's first agent.

In 2004, cash donations to non-profit organizations by Wal-Mart, its employees, and its customers made through Wal-Mart, the Wal-Mart Foundation and the Sam's Club Foundation totaled more than US$170 million. On January 26, 1997, Maradona discussed on live Ecuadorian TV with Ecuadorian president Abdalá Bucaram about playing in Bucaram's Barcelona SC team, but nothing ever came out of this, as Bucaram was ousted by a coup d'état. According to a New York Times story, it is seen by 130 million people a month, making it the fifth largest network in America, behind NBC, CBS, ABC and Fox. He retired from football on October 30, 1997. The Wal-Mart Television Network is an in-store network showing commercials for products sold in the stores, concert clips and music videos for recording artists products sold in the stores, trailers for upcoming movie releases, and news. He also attempted to work as a coach on two short stints, leading Mandiyú of Corrientes (1994) and Racing Club (1995) without much success. By focusing on a small number of low-cost products, and siting their retail operations in extremely convenient locations (primarily very small towns which cannot support a Wal-Mart as well as low-income areas of larger metropolitan areas), retailers such as Family Dollar and Dollar General have successfully competed head-to-head with Wal-Mart for home consumer sales. Maradona left Napoli in 1992, after serving a 15-month ban for failing the drug test for cocaine, and played for Sevilla FC (1992–93), Newell's Old Boys (1993) and Boca Juniors (1995–97).

Due to Wal-Mart's success in selling consumer goods and its necessary focus on more expensive items (and larger population areas) to increase revenue, a niche has been carved out of Wal-Mart's dominance by several shrewd retail corporations ^[1]. In Naples, where he is still beloved (having brought the local team their first scudetto), he also faced a scandal regarding an illegitimate son and was the object of some suspicion over his friendship with the Camorra, the local mafia. Chief competitors of Sam's Club are Costco, which is slightly larger than Sam's in terms of sales, as well as the smaller BJ's Wholesale Club chain operating mainly on the East Coast. This allegation was never proved, and many attribute his comment ("they cut off my legs") to Diego's anger at being suspended. Wal-Mart's move into the grocery business has also positioned it against major grocery chains such as Kroger, Albertsons, Publix, Giant Eagle, Safeway and dozens of local grocery chains. On this matter, he has suggested that he had an agreement, on which FIFA later reneged, to allow him to use the drug for weight loss before the competition in order to be able to play, so that the World Cup would not lose prestige because of his absence. Wal-Mart's chief competitors in the discount retail space nationally include Sears Holdings Corporation's Kmart chain and Target, Best Buy, along with many smaller regional chains such as Meijer in the midwest. He arrived at the 1994 World Cup and played two games (scoring one goal) before being sent home after failing a drug test for ephedrine doping.

Wal-Mart stock is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol WMT. Maradona also captained Argentina in the 1990 World Cup, leading his team to the final, where they lost 1–0 to West Germany. In 2003 McLane Company was sold to Berkshire Hathaway. The two goals were ranked 6th in Channel 4's 100 Greatest Sporting Moments in 2002. In 1990 Wal-Mart acquired The McLane Company, a foodservice distributor. Argentina went on to defeat England 2-1 in that game. In the past, Wal-Mart operated dot Discount Drugs, Bud's Discount City, Hypermart*USA, OneSource Nutrition Centers, and Save-Co Home Improvement stores. This goal was voted Goal of the Century in a 2002 online poll conducted by FIFA.

This purchase has been approved by Seiyu Group shareholders and The Seiyu will be consolidated into Wal-Mart International in FYE 2006. He ran half the length of the pitch, passing five English players (Glenn Hoddle, Peter Reid, Kenny Sansom, Terry Butcher, and Terry Fenwick) as well as goalkeeper Peter Shilton. in Japan, with a proposed US$597 million to increase its stake to 50%. In contrast, however, Maradona's second goal was an uncontroversial and impressive display of footballing skill. In addition to its wholly-owned international operations, Wal-Mart owns a 42% stake in The Seiyu Co., Ltd. I told them, 'Come hug me, or the referee isn't going to allow it.'" [1]. Wal-Mart also operates the largest real estate company in the United States, with an entire division devoted to building new stores, selling old stores, and developing shopping centers around its stores. He recalled thinking right after the goal that "I was waiting for my teammates to embrace me, and no one came .

Internationally, Wal-Mart employs over 410,000 people (excluding Japan) for a company-wide total of 1.7 million employees. However, on 22 August 2005 Maradona acknowledged on his new television talk show that he hit the ball with his hand purposely and that he immediately knew the goal was illegitimate. Apart from retail locations, it operates 99 Distribution Centers and Transportation Offices in the United States. He later claimed it was the "Hand of God" and described it as "A little of the hand of God, and a little of the head of Maradona," implying that God was ultimately responsible for the goal, because the referee had missed the handball offense. Wal-Mart's corporate headquarters are located in Bentonville, Arkansas. Action replay footage showed that the first goal was scored with the aid of his hand. As of January 2005, Wal-Mart employed 1.3 million people in the United States. However, it was the two goals he scored in the quarterfinal game against England which cemented his legend.

Wal-Mart also operates Sam's Club—a "warehouse club" (similar to Costco and BJ's) that sells discounted bulk merchandise to due-paying members. Throughout the 1986 World Cup, Maradona asserted his dominance and was widely regarded as the best player of the tournament. Wal-Mart operates discount retail department stores selling a broad range of non-grocery products, though emphasis is now focused on the "Supercenters" which offer a full line of grocery items. Maradona led the Argentine national team to victory in the 1986 World Cup, the team winning 3–2 in the final against West Germany. . Napoli were also runners-up in the Italian Championship twice (1987/88 and 1988/89). retail stores being spent at Wal-Mart. Napoli won their only Italian Championships (1986/87 and 1989/1990), a Coppa Italia (1987), a UEFA Cup (1989) and an Italian Supercup (1990).

It holds an 8.9 percent retail store market share, with $8.90 out of every $100 spent in U.S. Barcelona's management was not satisfied with Maradona, and in 1984 transferred him to SSC Napoli, where he became an adored star, lifting the team to its most successful era. It is the largest private employer in the United States, Mexico and Canada. However, Maradona had an unhappy tenure in Barcelona: first a bout with hepatitis, and then an ill-timed tackle by Athletic Bilbao's Andoni Goikoetxea that put Maradona's career on the line; Diego's physical strength and willpower made it possible for him to be back on the pitch after only 14 weeks. For the fiscal year ending January 31, 2005, Wal-Mart reported net income of US $10.3 billion on US $285 billion of sales revenue (3.6% profit margin). In 1983, under coach César Luis Menotti, Barcelona and Maradona won the Copa del Rey (Spain's annual national cup competition), beating Real Madrid. It is the largest retailer in the world and one of the largest companies in the world based on revenue; in 2004 it was the largest, but the recent rise in oil prices has taken at least one oil company past it. Later in the year, Maradona was transferred to FC Barcelona.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) was founded by Sam Walton in 1962. Although the team convincingly beat Hungary and El Salvador to progress to the second round, they were defeated in the second round by Italy (1:2), the side which eventually won the cup, and Brazil (1:3), during which game Maradona was sent off for kicking an opponent. Accessed January 11, 2006. In the first round, Argentina, as defending champions, lost to Belgium 0-1. ^  Wal-Mart giant can be tamed The Boston Globe, November 23, 2003. In 1982, Maradona played his first World Cup tournament. 121; Can't Wal-Mart, a Retail Behemoth, Pay More? The New York Times, May 4, 2005. At age 18, he played the Football World Youth Championship for Argentina, and was the star of the tournament, shining in their 3–1 final win over the USSR team.

^  See Palast, p. He debuted with the Argentina national football team ("la selección"), at age 16, against Hungary. ^  Down and Out in Discount America, The Nation, January 3, 2005; Wal-Mart's Welfare Dependency, San Francisco Chronicle by Sally Lieber, November 7, 2003. At age 15,Maradona made his debut with Argentinos Juniors, where he played between 1976 and 1981 before his transfer to the club that he supported, Boca Juniors, where he played during the remainder of the 1981 season and 1982 and secured his first league title. House of Representatives Representative George Miller, Senior Democrat, February 16, 2004; Wal-Marts Cost State, Study Says, San Francisco Chronicle, August 3, 2004. As a ball-boy in first division games, he amused spectators by showing his wizardry with the ball during the halftime intermissions. ^ Everyday Low Wages: The Hidden Price We All Pay For Wal-Mart (pdf), A Report by the Democratic Staff of the Committee on Education and the Workforce U.S. He became a staple of the cebollitas, the junior team of Buenos Aires side Argentinos Juniors.

^  Wal-Mart public relations web page, section regarding Benefits (retreived May 25, 2005). At age 10, Maradona was spotted by a talent scout while he was playing in his neighborhood club Estrella Roja. ^  Retaliating first, Wal-Mart in Canada, The Economist, Feb 24th 2005; Ex-Wal-Mart Workers Win Battle Globe and Mail, Rhéal Séguin, September 17, 2005. He has two younger brothers, Hugo (el turco) and Eduardo (Lalo), both of whom were also professional footballers. Coughlin Told Others Bogus Expenses Hid Plot Against Unions Retailer Disputes His Claim, Wall Street Journal, April 8, 2005. He was the first son after three girls. ^  Petty Cash A Wal-Mart Legend's Trail of Deceit Mr. Diego Armando Maradona was born in Villa Fiorito, a shantytown in the southern outskirts of Buenos Aires, to a poor family who had relocated from Corrientes Province.

119-120; Chinese Workers Pay for Wal-Mart's Low Prices, Washington Post, February 8, 2004; [Wal-Mart faces sweat-shop lawsuit Wal-Mart faces sweat-shop lawsuit], Financial Times (London), September 14, 2005; Suit Says Wal-Mart Is Lax on Labor Abuses Overseas, New York Times, September 14, 2005; Workers Sue Wal-Mart Over Sweatshop Conditions, Reuters, September 13, 2005, Sweatshop Workers on Four Continents Sue Wal-Mart in California Court, Press Release, September 13, 2005; Human cost behind bargain shopping Dateline hidden camera investigation in Bangladesh, Dateline NBC, June 17, 2005. . ISBN 0745318460., p.
. The Best Democracy Money Can Buy: An Investigative Reporter Exposes the Truth About Globalization, Corporate Cons, and High-Finance Fraudsters, Pluto Press. He is regarded as one of the best—and one of the most controversial—players in the history of the game. ^  Palast, Greg (2002). Diego Armando Maradona (October 30, 1960, Lanús, Buenos Aires), nicknamed El Diez, Pelusa and El Diego, is a former Argentine football player.

ISBN 1585424226.. Retrieved August 20, 2005. The United States of Wal-Mart, Tarcher. "Zidane, Ronaldo to appear on Maradona TV show", Reuters/Yahoo! (August 19, 2005). Dicker, John (2005). Retrieved August 17, 2005. ISBN 155369855X.. 'El Diez emprende dos nuevos desafíos', ESPN Deportes (July 28, 2005).

Megamall on the Hudson: Planning, Wal-Mart, and Grassroots Resistance, Trafford. 2005 Argentine Senate "Domingo Faustino Sarmiento" recognition for lifetime achievement. Porter, David (2003). England; second goal). ISBN 0745318460.. 2002 "FIFA Goal of the Century" (1986 (2–0) v. Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America, Owl Books. 2000 "FIFA best football player of the century", people's choice.

Ehrenreich, Barbara (2002). 1999 Argentine Sports Writers' Sportsman of the Century. ISBN 1580086683.. 1996 Golden Ball for services to cccfootball (France Football). How Wal-Mart Is Destroying America and the World: And What You Can Do about It (3rd edition). 1986 World Player of the Year (World Soccer Magazine). Quinn, Bill (2005). 1986–1987 Best Footballer in the World (Onze).

ISBN 0465023169.. 1986 European Footballer of the Year (France Football). Selling Women Short: The Landmark Battle for Workers' Rights at Wal-Mart. 1986 Golden Ball for Best Player of the FIFA World Cup. Featherstone, Liza (2004). 1986 Argentine Sports Writers' Sportsman of the Year. ISBN 1932857249.. 1979, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1992 South American Footballer of the Year (El Mundo, Caracas).

Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price, Disinformation Company. 1979–1981, 1986 Argentine Football Writers' Footballer of the Year. Spotts, Greg (2005). 2005 Boca Juniors (Football vice-president). ISBN 0385513569.. 1995 Racing Club de Avellaneda. The Bully of Bentonville: How the High Cost of Wal-Mart's Everyday Low Prices Is Hurting America. 1994 Mandiyú de Corrientes.

Bianco, Anthony (2006). 1993 Copa Artemio Franchi. ISBN 155860684X.. 1990 FIFA World Cup runner-up. Data Warehousing: Using the Wal-Mart Model. 1986 FIFA World Cup winner. Westerman, Paul (2000). 1979 FIFA World Youth Championship.

ISBN 0785261192.. 1991 Italian Super Cup (SSC Napoli). The Wal-Mart Way: The Inside Story of the Success of the World's Largest Company. 1990 Italian league (SSC Napoli). Soderquist, Don (2005). 1989 UEFA Cup (SSC Napoli). ISBN 1591840430.. 1988 Italian top-scorer (SSC Napoli).

The Wal-Mart Triumph: Inside the World's #1 Company. 1987 Italian Cup (SSC Napoli). Slater, Robert (2004). 1987 Italian league (SSC Napoli). ISBN 1591840066.. 1981 Argentine league (Boca Juniors). The Wal-Mart Decade: How a New Generation of Leaders Turned Sam Walton's Legacy into the World's #1 Company. Argentina second-highest goal-scorer (held the record until surpassed by Gabriel Batistuta).

Slater, Robert (2003). 21 appearances in four FIFA World Cup Championships (1982, 1986, 1990, 1994). ISBN 0812963776.. 1977–1994 Argentina (91 appearances, 34 goals). In Sam We Trust: The Untold Story of Sam Walton and Wal-Mart, the World's Most Powerful Retailer. Ortega, Bob (1998).

ISBN 1595580352.. Wal-Mart: A Field Guide to America's Largest Company and the World's Largest Employer, New Press. Lichtenstein, Nelson (2006). ISBN 0471679984..

What I Learned from Sam Walton: How to Compete and Thrive in a Wal-Mart World. Bergdahl, Michael (2004). [26]. Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price, a 2005 documentary by Robert Greenwald, the creator of Outfoxed.

Independent America, a 2005 documentary on the larger issue of independent businesses fighting for survival against corpprate chains. Outrageous Fortunes, BBC Three, aired on 26 April 2004, about the workings of Wal-Mart. Featuring interviews with both Wal-Mart top brass and critics, it won a Pulitzer Prize and a Peabody Award for television excellence. The Age of Wal-Mart, a 2004 documentary produced by CNBC.

and China. Frontline: Is Wal-Mart Good for America?, a PBS Frontline documentary on the impact of Wal-Mart in the U.S. Store Wars, a PBS special taking a close look at one community's battle over Wal-Mart. Why Wal-Mart Works & Why That Makes Some People Crazy, a pro-Wal-Mart documentary (not affiliated with Wal-Mart).

Wal-Mart Space a blog run by Bobby Gerry which explores Wal-Mart's financial statements. AlwaysLowPrices.net a blog run by Kevin Brancato (discontinued on November 14, 2005). Wal-Mart political donations. 2004-04-09 10-K.

WMT: Profile for WAL-MART STORES - Yahoo! Finance. Company Profile. Yahoo! - Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price A feature-length documentary.

The New Rules Project(critiques big box development, not limited to Wal-Mart). Wal-Mart Free NYC A group fighting to keep New York City Wal-Mart free. Wal-Mart Wiki Though not strictly critical, this wiki is definitely weighted against Wal-Mart in its current state. Wal-Mart Watchlabor union-funded website.

Wake-Up Wal-Mart website by the United Food and Commercial Workers. Index of numerous studies on Wal-Mart's economic and social impacts from The American Independent Business Alliance. Sprawl Busters, site Al Norman, an activist who helps local "site fights" against big box stores. Rotten Library: Wal-Mart.

Video report of Wal-Mart using child labor, CBC News, November 30, 2005. Wal-Mart caught using child labor, CBC News, November 30, 2005. Maryland's House approved a bill that would require all businesses in the state with more than 10,000 employees to spend at least 8 percent of their payroll on health benefits for workers. Sweet Victory: Maryland Stands Up To Wal-Mart, The Nation, Sunday, April 17, 2005.

Retaliating first, Wal-Mart in Canada, The Economist, Feb 24th 2005. Wal-Marts Cost State, Study Says, San Francisco Chronicle, August 3, 2004. House of Representatives Representative George Miller, Senior Democrat, February 16, 2004. Everyday Low Wages: The Hidden Price We All Pay For Wal-Mart(pdf), A Report by the Democratic Staff of the Committee on Education and the Workforce U.S.

Article argues that the decline of Union Industry jobs and the rise of Wal-Mart is destroying America's middle class. In Wal-Mart's America, Washington Post, August 27, 2003. Up against the Wal-Mart, Business Week, March 13, 2000, Explains union's attempt to unionize Wal-Marts. "Wal-Mart: High Prices for American Workers" file, (PDF February 16, 2004) from the Democratic Staff of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

California Legislators Call for Oversight of Wal-Mart's Health Benefits (Study of Peachcare). "The Wal-Mart You Don't Know", Fast Company, Issue 77, December 2003, Page 68 Wal-Mart's relentless pressure can crush the companies it does business with and force them to send jobs overseas. "Inside the Leviathan" by Simon Head for The New York Review of Books, December 16, 2004. UC Berkeley report on the community impact of Wal-Mart's lower wages(pdf).

How Costco Became the Anti-Wal-Mart, The New York Times, July 17, 2005. Costco's Dilemma: Is Treating Employees Well Unacceptable for a Public Corporation? The Wall Street Journal, March 26, 2004 Costco's compensation for its employees with comparison to Wal-Mart. Company for the People Seattle Weekly, December 15 - 21, 2004, Article which contrasts Wal-Mart with employee-friendly Costco. The Freedom to Hate Wal-Mart?, Paul Jacob, The Free Liberal, December 5, 2005.

Should We Admire Wal-Mart? Fortune Magazine, March 8, 2004. Economy a study funded by Wal-Mart, determining the net economic impact of Wal-Mart at the national, city, and county level. Measuring the Economic Impact of Wal-Mart on the U.S. of Economics, University of Missouri, 2002.