If the Premiership League was a person then there is no doubt that it would be considered to be a serial solicitor. And when I say solicitor I don’t mean in the context of a lawyer but rather, in the context of a hooker.
The announcement made yesterday that the Premiership intends to extend the season by one game to be scheduled for warm foreign climes starting in 2011, just reinforced the belief that when it comes to money nothing will stand between the Premiership and the possibility of collecting another pound note.
The Premiership proposal would have ten additional matches played on one day in January with the draw rigged to ensure that the top five teams do not play each other. The Premiership expects cities throughout the world to bid for the “privilege” of hosting these games that involve teams from what porn-king and reluctant Birmingham City owner David Gold calls the “the greatest league the world has ever known.”
The initial reasons put forward for intensely disliking the proposal – an unbalanced league, a rigged schedule, even greater fixture congestion – are all valid and in most situations would be grounds to mercilessly ridicule the poor sod that hatched the idea. However, none of these compelling arguments will stand in the way of the Premiership pushing forward with the scheme.
After all, what has fairness got to do with it when more money can be made? Particularly when you have a system that now needs an ever increasing amount of cash to feed a seemingly insatiable appetite. Any denomination, any source – no questions asked.
Of course, in support of the Premiership announcement we again read of the totally fictitious 1B people that watched the Arsenal vs. Manchester United league game at the end of 2006 - a number unjustifiable by logic and research but apparently quite reasonable to the fertile imagination of a Premiership P.R. hack.
What’s more we are told the NFL, NBA and NHL all do it so why not the Premiership? These leagues do it for a number of reasons – one of which is they are trying to sell sports that clearly the rest of the world could not give a toss about.
These foreign based match ups should be considered demeaning and a sign of weakness rather than one of strength.
A case can also be made that the foreign audience does not actually have an appetite for the Premiership – their appetite stretches to perhaps five or six Premiership teams.
Despite the tone of the self serving announcements the fact that the Premiership intends to ensure that a top five team will be at each of the venues is a clear admission that they know that the core appeal of the Premiership is limited to the usual suspects.
As for the others - toss some money their way and make supportive comments about selling more Birmingham City jerseys to the folks in Miami and that should satisfy them. Rather like the way the Premiership has gone over the last decade. Who cares about winning when mediocrity can be so profitable? Danny Blanchflower called it the “Glory Game” for most it has become the “survival but still make gobs of money game.”
And so is this move inevitable? Probably not. Because no matter how self important the Premiership has become and no matter how insatiable its appetite for money, it is still a midget when set against Big Daddy – FIFA.
After the early headlines had grown stale late Thursday someone got around to asking FIFA what they thought of the proposal. Reuters reported a senior FIFA source as stating "The statutes of FIFA are quite clear, so from a first glance it would seem the Premier League will find it difficult to get their way."
Behind the bureaucrat-speak there are a number of powerful reasons why the Premiership’s idea to conquer the globe is in for a rough ride. First off it is difficult to come up with one national association – even the FA as will see later - who would or should be in favour of this proposal.
How many associations are going to willingly accept the Premiership juggernaut rolling into town, giving prominence to conflicting sponsors, taking attention away from the domestic league and then leaving a few days later with a suitcase of cash that wasn’t spend on supporting the local product?
Then you have sanctioning and jurisdictional issues regarding players, security, officials and a host of other logistical details. All could be overcome given the existence of goodwill on both sides. But how much goodwill can you expect when confronted by a modern day Robin Hood-in-reverse intent on taking from the footballing poor while further enriching pampered players and robber-baron owners?
Beyond possible “host” associations the other associations especially in Europe are not likely to embrace the proposal either. The mammoth income enjoyed by English Premiership clubs already threatens to tip the balance of power between the big five associations (an argument could be made that it already has) and any threat of additional income flowing the Premiership’s way would not be considered as a positive move by the likes of Italy, Spain, Germany, and France.
So these national associations are far more likely to campaign against the idea than sit on the sidelines even though they may initially make some glib semi-supportive noises – just in case.
The implementation date of 2011 is also interesting and should the Premiership eventually succeed and receive FIFA approval there is always the possibility that some residual resentment might surface when the twenty-four man FIFA Executive Committee vote later in 2011 to award the hosting rights to the 2018 World Cup. Is that really a risk worth taking for the Football Association?
But more important than any of these reasons is that if this idea goes ahead and is implemented then a massively important precedent will have been set. Initially it will mean that other leagues will be free the try the same thing with the possibility that patchwork schedules will become the norm rather than an original small exception.
However, far greater is the potential for such a move to be used to engineer a European league or ultimately a Global league.
The G14 may have disbanded just a few short weeks ago but that does not mean that their power base and ideas have evaporated never to return.
UEFA and FIFA know that an Escape Committee could easily be reformed if the scent of more money is in the air and a precedent such as the Premiership is seeking is at hand. So in the end the Premiership can study and fine tune their proposal all they want but do not expect it to be given the green light by FIFA.
PREMIER LEAGUE.
The press I have read suggests that some owners and executives are in favour or at least open to the possibility.
Fans in Britain are almost unanimously against (according to the team web boards, aunty and other sports websites and of course the odd phone call or IM).
No word yet from managers (fixture congestion anyone) or players (OMG Derby in Beijing next week!)
The European Super League sounds attractive (perhaps) but would AC Milan or Real Madrid really want to limit the contact with their home associations and teams by playing more against 'foreign teams' The previous talk of the superleague seemed to be a frightener for UEFA rather than a real alternative.
The Rugby Union model may be more attractive.
Throughout the last year or so the idea had floated around the blogosphere and media, generally regarded as unthinkabkle or unworkable (unless you're the plonker)
This announcement smacks of an opportunity to test the water, gauge reactions and see what happens.
I can see the US and Asia getting all mad and excited about this, Europe and South America will be thinking 'smeg off!"
The money is big and will get bigger - 2009 (correct me if I'm wrong on the date) the TV rights get auctioned again and with ESPN sniffing around (OMG anything but that pile of mule urine) the Ozzie will have to dig deep to ensure the contract - that's going to be a lot of extra cash.
The recent revamps to the UEFA competitions will also add money as will the player on international duty compensation rule thingy.
Like I said previously a flight to LA or Miami would be cheaper than a flight to Europe, but would I be guaranteed to see Everton? Probably not.
Plus the atmosphere in the Premier League (generated in a substantial part by the vocal away support) wouldn't exist outside england. Frankly the atmosphere at some of the top mls games is smeg. Maybe some sections could get their ra-ra on for Man Utd or Chelsea but what about the Wigan Derby (or equivalent) or even those two nil nils we've just had.
The idea has enough of a possibility to succeed. Basically though it's a stinker from a bunch of chancers.
Typical smeg govt. wassockaly offering no strong opinion on the matter. They should be using the Premier League as a tourist attrcation and not that big smegging wheel!
Oh and the seeding - that's about 40 nails in the coffin for this idea. What smegging smegger ever seeded a league game. Maybe the red smegging devils can have the rest of the smegging season smegging seeded to they only play Derby!
Nice article bobby!
I think the Premier League will drop to 18 teams before it plays games abroad.
Bobby-While I'm up in the air on this one because I would love to see Liverpool play over here I thought I would answer one of your questions:
"How many associations are going to willingly accept the Premiership juggernaut rolling into town, giving prominence to conflicting sponsors, taking attention away from the domestic league and then leaving a few days later with a suitcase of cash that wasn’t spend on supporting the local product?"
The US, Canada, China, Japan and some other countries to name a few. It will bring a greater interest to the sport that is second best in those countries.
LGB - You are opting for conventional wisdom without acknowledging any long term ramifications.
If this type of marketing worked then the original NASL in the 60s that imported foreign teams for a summer long league would have done the trick would it not?
The last time I checked NFL Europe had ceased operations - I guess generating greater interest isn't a guaranteed route to success.
LGB
If Liverpool got allocated Beijing and Utd, Wigan, Derby, Portsmouth got DC then in LA it was Chelsea, Blackburn, Toon and Boro would you fly to see any of the those US matches?
This is the kind of #### that makes me gag. One of the main draws for me falling in love with the Prem is its still a pure sport enjoyed by real fans. Not some ####ized spectacle built around commercials and marketing. The fact that they are willing to completely unbalance the schedule and start rigging who plays who for an extra buck is pretty disgusting especially considering they are not hurting for money to begin with. A true sign of pure greed. If they were truly interested in promoting their league over others they would just work with the teams in the off season setting up foreign tours. For example I think last year was brilliant by Portsmouth jumping in with ManU going to China. Hopefully some of the more level headed owners and managers step in right away and point out how ludicrous this all is.
Last edited by JayAlves on February 7th at 8:29 PM.
The only time I would ever want to see Arsenal playing in Canada or the US would be a friendly in the off season on a tour. If I want to see them in the league I'll go see them. The current system is so perfect other leagues should be envious and instead they are trying to take a page from the NFL, NBA and NHL.... Whats next this half is brought to you by Coke with their logo slabbed into the corner of my T.V while the commentator reminds us that all free kicks are brought to us by Mastercard.
The mere fact that the Premier League poobahs got a skeptical Scot like Bobby to write one of his longest and most passionate posts suggest that this ploy has already reaped enormous public relations and marketing benefits.
Imagine this very debate going on amongst the one billion fans who watched the Ar5ena1-ManU game and you have already achieved a promotional coup.
Now they'll get FIFA or UEFA to underscore this venture with further headline-generating debate and eventual rulings.
Which will lead Emglish domestic fans to act to hold the game ever closer to their bosom while stirring fans abroad to make travel plans to visit Premier League matches sometime soon.
BOBBY
NASL V Premier League no comparison really (specifically marketing and monetary value)
So the Europeans didn't do the watered down NFL; doesn't follow that the US or China wouldn't eat up a few PL games a year
A better comparison would be the sellout that was Wembley for the Giants V Dolphins (expect another sellout next NFL season)
That said the NFL doesn't have any regulatory issues with any other contry.
Another issue is the timing of games (January was mentioned - the superbowl is getting built up then so interest from the US will be less than outside the NFL season. Also could games be scheduled ahead of time without knowing who is in the race for Vince Lombardi's bauble - ie you schedule a mini PL in Florida only to find Miami do a late season run and get home field all the way through the play offs.
"These foreign based match ups should be considered demeaning and a sign of weakness rather than one of strength" - A purely subjective mantra Bobby.
The more I look at this the more I don't give a damn.
Here in Canada 0 EPL games I've seen this year carry any kind of in game commercials besides the normal stuff like side boards and shirt sponsors. To be clear I have no clue what the MLS is doing because I don't watch. I tuned into maybe 2 Toronto FC games all season and cant really remember if they had in game plug by the commentators which I doubt or a hovering sponsor in the corner.
As an aside though games on Sportsnet do bother me as they run on upto a 5 minute delay because they milk every possible second off #### commentary Craig Forest can give us and run a couple of extra commercials knowing everyone is staring waiting for the game to start. In one extreme case I knew the final score of a Arsenal game before it finished on Sportsnet because another TV in the pub was running Setanta and they were already into their after show giving scores from across the Prem.
JAY
Lucky
Thankfully I DVR a lot of the games I watch so I can cut out all the extraneous guff and just watch the game.
More irritating than commericals is a commentator referring to the score o####ame that I haven't yet watched.
Your lot should expect a good kicking on Monday.
Anyone know whether the compensation package for injuries applies to the like of Liverpool//Torres or Arsenal/Flamini
It sounds crazy plus all the cities would be fighting over who gets Man Utd.
The A's open the baseball season against the Red Sox in Japan.
Craigy, Pienaar has returned injured from the ACoN. Some of the fishwraps are reporting that Yakubu has not returned. According to TiVo the Reading game 2/9 and the SK Brann Bergen game (2/21) are on FSC. Everton interested in Michael Bradley
I don't like the idea one bit. I agree with some others that the only time I want to see the prem teams here in the US are during off season friendlies. More work needs to be done in the U.S. to improve support for the MLS. Greediness leading to another unfortunate idea.
RON_W
Seen those headlines - it's hard to actually confirm the yak one
It's not too many weeks that setanta and/or fsc doesn't carry everton, and the uefa cup coverage has been beefed up a tad.
I'm not that much of a fan of bradley, from what I've seen when he pushes feilhaber out of the midfield then it's mostly 'cos of his last name.
Which incident from last week smegs you off the most?
Japan is mad for both football and baseball and a half decent producer fo both talents. Was the RS trip to japan part of the deal to sign that new japanese player they spent big on last season?
FRIEDEL
If you are actually Marks Hughes in disguise then you have your wish.
Just for fun, let's say the deal goes through. Who plays who and which games get paired up. Remember, it's a weekend double-header, one on Saturday, one on Sunday.
Using this year's teams, here's a suggested package of games, first game listed is the opener. Venues? Who knows.
1. Portsmouth-West Ham / Spurs-Ar5ena1
2. Wigan-Reading / ManUnited-ManCity
3. Aston Villa-Birmingham / Chelsea-Fulham
4. Blackburn-Bolton / Everton-Liverpool
5. Middlesboro-Sunderland / Newcastle-Derby
Derbies galore, other matchups have some connnection,
1. Pompey-WHam, for the 'Arry Redknapp Cup of Cheer. Norf London derby, skivers vs. strivers.
2.Wigan-Reading, loser gives up blue-white striped kit for a year. Manc derby, decorum be damned. Fergie wants it played in ####kok.
3. Working class Brum derby. Posh London derby.
4. Play this one on an island just south of India.
Re-name it Sri-Lancashire.
5. Eeee, tis grim oop nawrth. Take this one well sourth, to Australia, where rough stuff will be appreciated. Chance for Keegan to get his first win.
Last edited by flashman on February 8th at 9:32 AM.
Have to say, out of all the excellent postings Bobby has written, this one stands out. Brilliant stuff. And absolutely on-target. Thank goodness, a voice of sanity! I've been reading some pundits in the UK actually arguing for this lunacy.
How will this idea work? Who's going to play Man United 3 times? Scudamore was quoted on skysports saying that January would be the best month to schedule these games because there's no fixture congestion. Hello?! Every two years there's the little matter of the African Cup of Nations, isn't there?
I do hope FIFA and other domestic leagues put a stop to this.
Bobby~ It's a wonderful post with all points well taken. If your post is the obverse of a coin, then here is the reverse- when I heard the announcement I began to have a fantasy regarding clubs and venues. What if Arsenal and Derby County played each other in New York City? I would relish the opportunity to go. Count me in as fodder for PL greed.
Wouldn't adding an extra game and travelling a long distance add to fatigue and the potential injuries to players, who are the "product" sold by the Premiership "brand"?
It is interesting to note the number of man-games lost by this season by the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks, who opened their NHL seasons in England, a marketing exercise both franchises will probably admit has really hurt them.
In the case of the Premiership, I suppose it will not destroy the competitive balance because all clubs will be doing it, but it strikes me as unnecessary burden for clubs who compete in the Champions League. I'm quite sure FIFA and UEFA will weigh in on this topic and their reactions will not be positive.
...and another thing...has anybody thought of aspect of unleashing Joey Barton and Craig Bellamy and the like on unsuspecting communities. Even the mild mannered get themselves in trouble in Miami.
On second thought, let's have Newcastle play West Ham in Vegas with Pacman Jones and Ron Artest as the guests who exchange team banners before the kickoff. I'd pay a premium to watch that entertaining mess unfold!
Just as nature abhors a vacuum, I'm sure FIFA equally abhors a gap in the marketplace.
When massive marketplaces like China, India, southeast Asia/Australia and North America show keener interest in the Premier League than in their own domestic leagues, it's a demand that will be met one way or another.
If bringing a series of Premier League matches - and this proposal could well be permitted strictly as a short-term experiment - helps to stimulate the growth and development of soccer in all these regions, who are FIFA to say no? They're businessmen too.
You can turn this around and say if the English game has gone global, then why not reciprocate a little bit?England, and other European nations, already allow international friendlies to be played by two visiting nations.
And there's been mere mention made of staging some of these games in North America, when the MLS season is shut down. A double header staged in a domed stadium in January would serve soccer's rulers rather nicely.
It could well mean games being played on artificial turf, something FIFA is promoting as a way of encouraging more 'on-the-deck' play, while discouraging slide tackling. Plastic pitches also can be more cost effective for nations where funding to maintain quality grass pitches is limited or hampered by weather conditions.
It would provide a useful profile boost to the game in perhaps the most lucrative of markets without creating an immediate conflict with MLS, which is in its closed season.
And create a distraction to the Super Bowl and put the NFL in its place.
Last edited by flashman on February 8th at 10:05 AM.
I agree that in the long term this will be a bad move for the Premier league. It will undermine its base leading to long term destabilization. What will Man Utd do in 10 years when the glory years of SAF are long gone and the team isn't that popular around the world anymore? They will have alienated their real fan base by pricing them out and shutting them out by having games they can't go to.
However the short term gains for these new debt laden clubs will be too appealing.
Bobby I now see where and how Man Utd will seek their revenue growth.
And we are ignoring the reality of the G14 (or 18) forming a super league within 20 years. This will happen, there is no question about it. So the big four cruising around the world to play league games is inevitable.
The straight-faced-arrogance of the English never ceases to amaze me.
Did the PL make any attempt to evoke a higher purpose here, or is it just plain old greed. I guess after destroying the grass roots level of the game in their own country, it must be time do the same on a global scale. I suppose inventing something gives you the right to destroy it.
MasMaz: Where do you get the basis for assuming clubs like ManU would undermine their base? If you need more money and don't want to alienate your current fan base, then other revenue sources have to be found. ManU and many other clubs are already tapping external markets. This is just a variation on an already established theme.
This sort of deal being approved would make the Glazers look like geniuses. Their purchase price of the club would look like a pittance. It would only strengthen and broaden ManU's international appeal.
Not only could it allow them to keep ticket prices at Old Trafford scaled to a level where ordinary fans can still afford them - some of them, anyway -it will keep those fans singing their praises.
When they feel like singing, of course.
Last edited by flashman on February 8th at 10:14 AM.
Obviously a terrible idea that would serve to strenthen the financial gap between the Premier League and the rest of the FA teams.
Adding a game to the home-and-away system is basically a point lottery which could easily decide the title.
Smaller PL sides will be the strongest supporters of this idea - the extra game would be a proportionately bigger boost their income than the big sides. The fight against relegation would truly be the real competition.
The solicitor analogy is correct. The English game has sold it's collective soul. Clubs that sprung from working men having a kick-about and training local lads have become PLCs, brands, divorced from their communities and local roots.
The reasoning is sound, in a business sort of way - if foreign markets provide a third of the money for the EPL to purchase their foreign stars then why not reward them with overseas league games?
The end result of all this has to be either a breakaway European/World super-league or an NFL-style Premier 1/Premier 2 league with playoffs and no relegation. The foreign billionaire owners of English brands will not tolerate the possibility of being relegated to Championship money.
I consume the EPL brand partly for the atmosphere; the taunting, chanting and singing are a good part of what makes it such an attractive product.
The working-class are already being priced out of the game, if this sort of thing carries on then the Premier League will end up cutting it's own throat as the stands become full of tourists and businessmen.
Last edited by Yankshire Pud on February 8th at 11:15 AM.
Man Utd's base are the crazy and fiercely passionate English that I read about in Among the Thugs.
I could be wrong it wouldn't be the first time.
However I don't see that many Chicago Bulls jerseys anymore and they were staple around the world 10 years ago. When the passing fancy of the world's entertainment fetishes moves from the EPL to something else the league might possibly have killed off much of that passion that made it so popular in the first place.
Of course maybe some Man Utd supporters will be happy with football becoming a studio sport played for cameras and DVR's.
All things are cyclical, peaks and valleys, growth and decline. This move signals a decline of the EPL because they can't maintain their current growth. For an example see U.S. global economy. There is nothing that can stop our economy from resetting. The chickens always come home to roost.
I hear that many generations ago Cricket was the most popular sport in the world.
Man, I logged in to read the weekend preview and find this!
I think Ringo has it errrm, summed up pretty succinctly really, because what ever happens in premier league business now, nothing new happens or changes unless someone smells a profit.
To other stuff: Bobby do you think Liverpool has more than snowball's chance in hell of beating Chelsea this weekend?
Keep the games in England. If someone in ####kock, Miami, S. Africa or Australia is a big fan and wants to see their team they can save up and travel to go see them. The owners and directors are only doing there job which is to create more wealth for the club.
As for the African cup this is why I love football so so much the unpredictability who would have thought Egypt would smash 4 past Ivory C. and on the 3rd goal that Egyptian striker made Kolo look like a possesed man it was sad. Another amazing goal, Kieta's goal. Ghana's lack of a striker came back to haunt them but the Cameroon goalie was amazing. Another problem with Ghana is that they don't ve' players to replace there key player. Mensah was missed and it forced them to reshuffle the style of play which seemed to affect them greatly,same thing happened in the w.c. after Essien was suspended. The goal Nkong (his name sounds Asian) scored was amazing counter attack football. brillent passing and a brillient finish.
The final should be a spectacle as Egypt has really impressed me with there amazing quick attacking team while Cameroon is more conservative they also have played well as the tourny has moved foward. A. Song of Arsenal has been amazing and should give Flamstar compe when he comes back to Arsenal. Hopefully Ghana can finish 3rd and Cameroon can take it all and leave critics like me kickin ourselves.
Last edited by Gunner44 on February 8th at 11:39 AM.
hey flashman, "2. Wigan-Reading / ManUnited-ManCity" just make sure this one winds up in the US ok?
i've already had too many disagreements with the mrs. about booking a flight to Man. for the derby. I want this one local. cross-country sounds a hell of a lot better than trans-atlantic.
Gunner44, everyone keeps saying it's such a surprise that Egypt is in the final -- I think it's only a minor surprise since they've won the tournament 5 times. No other nation has done as well. I know what you mean, they were not the favorites, but too many pundits have been too ready to write off Egypt just because they have no recognized Europe-based players.
With all due respect to the wonderful teams Ghana, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Nigeria, Angola, etc., Egypt are the only team in the tournament that remains true to the stylish, passing game. I studied in Egypt in the 80s, the love South American football. The other African teams are mostly managed by European coaches who rely principally on physical power. The semifinal yesterday showed the two different styles on offer.
The article I linked to calls Egypt an "enigma" because few of their players play in Europe yet they routinely beat African teams comprised of so many Europe-based players, many of whom are big name stars.
It's no "enigma." The enigma is why Europe continues to look down on players who ply their trade outside Europe.
severedgein: All I've got is a take on this matter, nothing else.
If I could influence its destination, they'd be playing right here in Toronto. In the Skydome, 60,000 capacity, with a decent temporary natural grass surface put in place over the plastic baseball field.
I just want to say I love te passion you put into this article. I think it is great to see your true opinion in your blog. In my opinion that is the point of having a blog in the first place, so you can express what you feel with hopefully no repercussions. Save the neutral stuff for the fsr, let us know what you are thinking on here!!! Keep up the good work!
daniel totally agree with you. I was actually talking to my friend and we where discussing almost all the African teams are lead by European coaches and it's definietly made the Africa cup to loose it's flair. Since 2002, personally I think the African cup has become less and less more exciting. But I'm still a big Cameroon fan and that's why I'll be cheering for Cameroon.
The middle of the season is already too congested with cups and internationals. How about all the Premiership teams except the two in the Community Shield go forth in pairs or fours to play this game with no impact on the EPL points? Treat it as part of a new season build up with a little more organisation, to give overseas fans a little with out it impinging on the busiest part of the season?
The other idea: to make a three week Christmas/January break with an 18 team premiership and play this fool idea at the end of that break, as a warm up, with no poimts at stake?
verbal97: "...has anybody thought of aspect of unleashing Joey Barton and Craig Bellamy and the like on unsuspecting communities. Even the mild mannered get themselves in trouble in Miami."
Or Beijing, or Singapore ...
But you needn't worry about Barton in Miami- with pending assault charges, he won't be getting a US visa ... so at home he stays (would his bail conditions allow him to travel outside the UK?).
I wonder how many other PL players would have similar problems, and what might that do to team selection? One could see it- Manager to players: "OK, how many of you lot have ever been busted for possession? Well, have a nice holiday at home while we go to New York and try to avoid relegation ..." League points and positions depending on foreign visa policies ...
Last edited by Ursusarctos on February 8th at 4:25 PM.
Griz, you could have a point! Many a bad lad in the premiership and just a few convictions. I wonder how many would be forced to stay home? How many managers and coaches from the recent past might also be disqualifed for previous con-victions? This one is only just beginning the merrygoround.
Obviously no. of attendance in BPL stadiums are decreasing as the time goes and Premier league big shots want to earn as much money as possible before BPL's popularity expire like Spain in 50s,Germany in 60s and 70s and Italy in 80s and 90s.If it happen,it will last 2 to 3 seasons.Who will go to watch Blackburn vs Boro in Gient stadium.They can't even fill their own stadiums.
First, the fact that they are betraying the supporters all across England. We can't get any more money from you by raising ticket prices, so we'll just go somewhere else to get some more. Then there's the fact that if they want to see their teams play, they would have to travel some distance - at some expense too - to see them play. Also, one of the main reasons why people are so inclined to watch and try to go to Premiership games are the fans. Supporters in England are some of the most passionate in the world. Look at Newcastle, Liverpool, and Manchester United as examples. Going overseas to tap the markets at other stadia would ruin the atmosphere. Who would know the songs of the clubs? How many would know somebody other than Ronaldo, or Torres, or Lampard, etc.? We would have a very large stadium filled with prawn sandwich brigades. People would wonder why it isn't like how they saw it on TV, and might even get turned away from going to another Premiership game because of the experience.
Second, as stated by Bobby McMahon in his blog, the Premiership acknowledges that Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, and possibly Tottenham have the potential to draw fans from other countries. The Premiership as an entity is not what the foreign markets are there for. They want to see the top teams playing entertaining football. So when Derby gets matched against Wigan, how many people are going to turn up? How many people are going to buy their kits? They have no idea who plays for the team, or where the team comes from for
A big part of the fun of going to a home game in any sport is the FANS. I'd love to see the Hammers play - at the Boleyn Ground. If they were playing in the LA Coliseum, I doubt I'd make the trip. Attending a USC football game in the Coliseum, on the other hand, is something special.
It's not just the teams on the field, it's the fans, the atmosphere, the cheers/chanting. How does the FA think they can export THAT? Watching ManU play Arsenal in a 100,000-seat stadium, where the pitch is half a mile from your seat and 95,000 of the fans don't even know which of the teams is in stripes and which in solids is not quite like going to Old Trafford. If all I want to do is watch the game, TV gives me a better view and the beer is cheaper.
"It's a nonsense idea... Soon you will have in England no English presidents (of clubs), you already have no English (national team) coach, you have no English players and maybe now you will have no clubs playing in England. It's a joke."
Michel Platini, UEFA President.
He also compared the idea to him creating a plan to move UEFA headquarters to China!!! Now that's pretty funny.
Bobby-I never said it would work I was just saying those associations would let the PL play its game on their shores.
As for NFL Europe, its comparing apples and oranges. Now if you wanted to do something in comparison than the Giants-Dolphins game would be it.
VVV-If Uefa would make more money from having its headquarters in China, you better believe it would be there.
Platini is an ####. If he says this is a stupid idea than it starts to get me to think its actually a very good one.
His comment reaks of xenophobia and its ridiculous that he would even say that. What difference does it make if the national team manager of England isn't English?
Does he know that one of the key cogs of that 98 world cup and 00 european championships winning teams isn't a true Frenchman?(Patty Vieira)
I think too many underestimate the atmosphere that could be acheived even by the small group of americans (for instance) that follow soccer. If the weeked's ManU/City derby had been played in the US, if i'd been the only City supporter, I'd have out-roared every United fan in the stadium.
There is team loyalty beyond the confines of English towns. This idea is not an assault on the English fanbase, don't take this so personally because the price of attending top-4 games has gone up. It's business.
I am the soccer analyst for the Fox Soccer Report and appear twice a week - every Monday and Friday at 10:00 EST. I have also been a regular contributor to the Fox Soccer Channel website since the summer of 2004. Over the last twenty years I have contributed to various radio and television programs throughout North America as well writing about the game for newspapers, magazines and websites.
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