In reality, the deal seems doomed from the beginning, but in this instance, one less global superstar making his way to North America is good news. Neymar, for all his fame and popularity, would be a failed signing for the league.

Having those rights doesn't mean Neymar, currently with Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia, is a lock for Chicago, as was the case late last season when Germany star Marco Reus spurned Charlotte FC to join the eventual MLS Cup winners LA Galaxy.

But sources with ESPN in Brazil have tempered expectations over a move to MLS for Neymar, adding that if he were to play in the U.S., he still held out hope of signing with Inter Miami.