Premier League Makes Its Move

[Highland Rover]

  Is it any coincidence that both Liverpool and Utd are American owned ..........perhaps they're looking for a NFL/NBA/NHL type league . Basically a closed shop unless you buy a franchise , like the current Las Vegas Raiders and that means mega bucks .

[Barmby Rover]

I may be missing something but, the overall proposal doesn't seem that abhorrent does it?

We all want rid of the parachute payments don't we? If that money is filtered down more equally then its more likely to close the gap isn't it?

Reducing to 18 teams? This has been on the table for a long long time. The sceptical view is it will create more time for the big clubs to play lucrative games elsewhere rather than reduce the number of fixtures. Time will tell.

I guess one of the more contentious points will be the number of teams promoted/relegated. The pyramid needs to remain fluid. In an 18 team league maybe two places plus a play off as suggested in the article might be workable.

What I don't understand, is this special status for the likes of Everton etc. Does anyone else understand what that means?

Two less teams in the EFL. No more EFL Cup (meaning less chance of ties like our trip to Arsenal a few seasons ago), hand-me-down money as if the Premier League own us. Less promotion opportunities into the top flight from the EFL. Potential right to decide rules that only affect EFL clubs. What elements of these are acceptable?

Or the sheer fact it's as if they'll only help out EFL clubs if they can have all these extra powers. They should be helping out anyway, they already take so much of the sport's money in this country, to the extent that they're all out buying 50, 60, 70 million pound players while we're struggling to survive the pandemics impact.

That's without even getting into the proposals regarding the increased voting power of the biggest clubs and right of veto over takeovers of other clubs.

It is an attempt by the biggest clubs to take an even bigger slice of the cash, a blatantly selfish and greedy one. All backed by the man whose job it is supposed to be to protect the interests of clubs in the EFL, not the Premier League. It will kill the game as we know it in this country.

Ah! But how much money does he make out of selling out the lower leagues? About time the FA and FL were ousted and proper representation of football in this country was restored. Tell the PL clubs they either come under the governing body or they cannot operate in this country. Tell the players that anyone playing for a "European super league" will never represent their country. Other countries could follow suit and the whole greedy pile of crap collapses.

[Draytonian III]

I posted comments on the European Super League a few months ago about the joys of watching Lyon vs Porto and Anderlect vs PSV. When it does happen the grounds will never be full because ever game will have live television coverage to accommodate the sponsors etc.
 After a couple of years interest will wain because it’ll be same old, same old

[DonnyBazR0ver]

This thing needs a great deal of thought by all concerned. The main concern obviously is the further shift in power on voting rights and special status etc.

However, despite where the proposal has come from, there's some fundemantal things we agree with in terms of getting rid of parachute payments and redistribution whilst maintaining the fluid pyramid system.

Let's face it, if we already had those proposals in place, and the current system was proposed, we'd think they were nuts!

Let the negotiations begin!

[selby]

  Only one team can win the league, every team that are being proposed to be in the competition exist in their supporters minds because they are presently successful in their own country so lots will miss out every season.
  How long do you think it will take plastic fans to lose interest especially if one side dominates the competition?

[silent majority]

Statement from the FSA;

"The Football Supporters' Association notes with grave concern today's press reports of proposals for a major restructure of the Premier League, with far-reaching consequences for the whole of domestic football.

Once again it appears that big decisions in football are apparently being stitched up behind our backs by billionaire club owners who continue to treat football as their personal fiefdom. Football is far more than a business to be carved up; it is part of our communities and our heritage, and football fans are its lifeblood. As football's most important stakeholders, it is crucial that fans are consulted and involved in the game's decision-making.

We have welcomed the government's commitment to a 'fan-led review of the governance of football'; we would argue that today's revelations have made that process even more relevant and urgent.

We will of course study the detail of the new proposals, we remain open-minded to any suggestions for the improvement of the governance and organisation of the game, whatever their source, and we will continue to engage constructively in all discussions around reform. We would however emphasise that in our discussions so far, very few of our members have ever expressed the view that what football really needs is a greater concentration of power in the hands of the big six billionaire-owned clubs" 


And a statement from DCMS;

We are surprised and disappointed that at a time of crisis when we have urged the top tiers of professional football to come together and finalise a deal to help lower league clubs there appear to be backroom deals being cooked up that would create a closed shop at the very top of the game. Sustainability, integrity and fair competition are absolutely paramount and anything that may undermine them is deeply troubling. Fans must be front of all our minds, and this shows why our fan led review of football governance will be so critical."

[Metalmicky]

BBC understands that West Ham United - one of the 'big nine' clubs (Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal, Everton, Southampton and West Ham United) identified in the Project Big Picture master plan are against the proposals.....

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54505270

[elmsallrover]

Man City and Southampton wasn't that long ago they were in league one...

[bobbymax]

Both Yanks driving this, I believe.
No doubt they'll want to look at adopting the franchise model so popular over there if mounting a successful coup over this.
I detest the PL and never watch it but they need telling where to go if we want the game in this country to survive in any recognisable format. 

[knockers]

The radio news just said that a quarter of the Prem tv money would filter down to the EFL.
Surely that would be a good thing!

[Alan Southstand]

Depends how they propose distributing it! Will the Championship get 80% of it, for example?

It should be shared equally, but I’ll bet it isn’t.

[silent majority]

This isn't the EPL by the way, its the top six clubs with a lot of support from the EFL. They, or rather Rick Parry, are just as much to blame.

[silent majority]

Depends how they propose distributing it! Will the Championship get 80% of it, for example?

It should be shared equally, but I’ll bet it isn’t.

Its a complicated financial package with a lot of detail. I'll try sharing at some point.

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

The radio news just said that a quarter of the Prem tv money would filter down to the EFL.
Surely that would be a good thing!

Interesting point in the detail though. It takes 8 games per season per club out of the package to allow them to sell the rights themselves (I'm sure burnley are delighted) as well as the reduction in games.  So, how big would the applicable tv deal actually be?

The more detail the worse it becomes.  It basically allows the efl to be financially better off but widens the premier League further somewhat.

[elmsallrover]

The radio news just said that a quarter of the Prem tv money would filter down to the EFL.
Surely that would be a good thing!

what for clubs to flutter more money on player wages

[selby]

  By the way when the league cup was first proposed twelve then first division clubs didn't enter it, Rotherham and Norwich getting to the first two finals I think.
  When it was a success they came crawling back, Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds being two of them.
  Keep the European place and piss them off if they don't want to enter.

[RoversAlias]

This isn't the EPL by the way, its the top six clubs with a lot of support from the EFL. They, or rather Rick Parry, are just as much to blame.

Based on the way everyone from the Premier League to the government has responded, it seems the entire thing is cooked up by Liverpool, Man Utd and Rick Parry pretty much on their own.

They all ought to be pilloried for it.

[sha66y]

It appears that the power of the written word is having the desired effect, causing divisions were none should exist....
However,
If we forget the EPL for a moment, what really changes?

Not a great deal I would suggest, just the fanning of the flames of envy...

As long as we have a team to face each week, and the price of a ticket remains reasonable, im sure we will all be entertained...

Most on here take football politics far too seriously.......cancel ya sky/BT subscriptions to the sports channels for a couple of years .... break free !

[drfchound]

But what if we become one of the clubs that others won’t be facing every week?

[sha66y]

But what if we become one of the clubs that others won’t be facing every week?

Then we won’t exist anymore....that’s a simple one...

No amount of posturing or puffing up ya chest can stop the inevitable!

I saw a fat lad in goal for Donny ( Weavers neighbour) ....and thought that was the end of my home town club....... and here we are now..... battle hardened and ready to fight once more....

[bedale rover]

If all EFL fans stopped buying sky sports and BT then this would (hopefully) decimate their income and their attempts at world domination

TV rights are global. It'll be worth a lot of money in the UK but they'll get far more selling it around the world

But as the English Premier League not having support in England wouldn't look good as a selling point

[Frankie Rennie]

Can’t believe that some on here are taken in by this. The top PL clubs are effectively going for a major power grab whilst the EFL is weak, aided and abetted by that scumbag Parry. Fortunately this is also the view of Oliver Dowden in an interview this morning. The PL now earns more than the next 4 European leagues combined and he considers there is more than enough in the pit to assist the EFL. He also indicated that if the PL did not do it voluntarily, it may be time for the government and the FA to strengthen governance to ensure it happens. Long overdue I’d say.

[silent majority]

This isn't the EPL by the way, its the top six clubs with a lot of support from the EFL. They, or rather Rick Parry, are just as much to blame.

Based on the way everyone from the Premier League to the government has responded, it seems the entire thing is cooked up by Liverpool, Man Utd and Rick Parry pretty much on their own.

They all ought to be pilloried for it.

And they will be.

It won't fly, the other PL clubs will vote it down and the FA will use its golden share. Parry has burnt all his bridges, he's a dead man walking.

[Filo]

Can’t believe that some on here are taken in by this. The top PL clubs are effectively going for a major power grab whilst the EFL is weak, aided and abetted by that scumbag Parry. Fortunately this is also the view of Oliver Dowden in an interview this morning. The PL now earns more than the next 4 European leagues combined and he considers there is more than enough in the pit to assist the EFL. He also indicated that if the PL did not do it voluntarily, it may be time for the government and the FA to strengthen governance to ensure it happens. Long overdue I’d say.

Your own club wanted that power grab a few years ago by wanting a PL closed shop, I bet your club is not so keen now

[Frankie Rennie]

Can’t believe that some on here are taken in by this. The top PL clubs are effectively going for a major power grab whilst the EFL is weak, aided and abetted by that scumbag Parry. Fortunately this is also the view of Oliver Dowden in an interview this morning. The PL now earns more than the next 4 European leagues combined and he considers there is more than enough in the pit to assist the EFL. He also indicated that if the PL did not do it voluntarily, it may be time for the government and the FA to strengthen governance to ensure it happens. Long overdue I’d say.

Your own club wanted that power grab a few years ago by wanting a PL closed shop, I bet your club is not so keen now

That was just one man Filo but if you look at what Gartside actually said about football finances, it’s all come true. It shouldn’t be down to the fat cats to decide whether the likes of your club or my club can enjoy the benefits of the PL by pricing them out. The dream for every fan is to see their club tested against the best and taking that away will destroy football in this country.

[selby]

  Talksport this morning reported that under the deal proposed by the two big clubs (sic) for every pound that a club like Brighton would get, the top six would get four. Nice if you can get it.
They also reported that  a couple of Americans offered a large amount for a 20% share in British Football just last week.
  It was £375 million from an American investment firm for a 20% share in the EFL was not put to the clubs and turned down.
   

[Metalmicky]

I see Barnsley's co-chair has come out in favour...

https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/barnsley-fc-co-chairman-paul-conway-backs-project-big-picture-3000781


Speaking to The Athletic, Conway said: “Project Big Picture would judiciously reallocate more media revenue to the EFL and hopefully reign in the reckless spending which endangers the entire EFL. “With the planned expansion of UEFA to include a third competition below the Champions League and Europa League, it is conceivable that up to 10 Premier League teams could be playing in UEFA competitions during the season.

"If the smaller Premier League clubs do not accept Project Big Picture, it is entirely conceivable that the bigger Premier League clubs go along with the push of other big UEFA clubs to move UEFA matches to the weekend, resulting in 60 to 80 Premier League matches forced to be moved to midweek, which would hurt the smaller Premier League teams. Weekends are typically their biggest grossing match days."

“The bigger Premier League clubs aim to grow their global brand either through Project Big Picture or other alternatives. The global football audience prefers to watch Liverpool play Bayern Munich than Liverpool play Burnley.”

[selby]

  Not if the premier league chuck the big six out before they leave anyway and marginalize them for a couple of seasons.  It won't happen but should, just replace them with the next six from the Championship and move others up through the pyramid. See how they went on without fixtures against other English clubs.

[Metalmicky]

Bolton Chairman's view...

Bolton chairman Sharon Brittan spoke positively about the plans in a statement on her club’s website, describing them as a useful “first step”.

“We are fully in favour of steps which can be taken to address the inequitable distribution of finances between the Premier League and EFL,” Brittan wrote.

“The summary details of Project Big Picture appear to go some way to help drive sustainability for the EFL’s member clubs and this can only be a good thing for clubs’ long-term growth and the communities in which they are based.

“Bolton Wanderers’ recent history shows how important a football club is to the local community and that the model of football clubs relying solely on owner funding is broken.

“This town came very close to losing its club and the board believes that radical change has long been required to create a football pyramid which allows clubs at the lower levels to be sustainable yet be competitive on the field.

“We hope that conversations around Project Big Picture are the first step on this path.”

[Metalmicky]

Tranmere co-owner Nicola Palios not so happy...

"There are some clear good elements to Project Big Picture but they are hugely outweighed by the downsides that will destroy the game in this country,” she wrote on Twitter.

“Once you’ve given all the power to a small group they can do what they want.

“B teams would be with us in a heartbeat. The EFL would get 25 per cent of the TV money but only after the best of all the games are taken away from TV to be streamed by the big clubs. And what’s to stop them changing the distribution methodology in future, to say 10 per cent?

“We must not be blinded by the short-term offer of a cash lifeline. It’s like someone offering you a million pounds but shooting you soon after.”