Premier League Going Global
By Tom Dunmore • Feb 7th, 2008 • Category: News & Notes • 13 responsesRemember when the NFL played a game in London last year, and it was mooted the Premier League might follow suit and play a one-off in New York or Los Angeles? Well, they’re considering going a lot further than that, and playing ten games abroad at five venues. BBC Sport explains:
At a meeting in London on Thursday, all 20 clubs agreed to explore a proposal to extend the season to 39 games.
Those 10 extra games would be played at venues around the world, with cities bidding for the right to stage them.
It is understood the additional fixtures could be determined by a draw but that the top-five teams could be seeded to avoid playing each other.
Great news for the Premier League’s money men and fans of Premier League teams abroad who might get a chance to see their team play. But not such good news for those who care for the integrity of the competition, as it would mean an unbalanced schedule. Local supporters are also likely to be upset with the proposal, to say the least, and the Football Supporters Federation has already spoken out against it:
Football Supporters’ Federation Chairman Malcolm Clarke has challenged the FA to drop the proposal if a majority of fans are against the move.
“We challenge the Premier League to scrap these plans if the majority of football fans in this country don’t want matches to be played abroad.” Clarke said.
“Because the FSF has no doubt whatsoever the vast majority of supporters are against this, and believe it would drag the Premier League into the realms of farce.
“When this ludicrous idea was first mooted in October last year, we ran a poll here on our website a couple and a huge majority of supporters – 80% who took the trouble to vote were in complete opposition to this then and I’m sure they still are now.
“I also personally wrote to all 20 Premier League Chairman about the issue in October – unsurprisingly, only three of them actually took the trouble to reply, but those who did were in complete opposition to the move.
“And I think that figure will go even higher now that the full ridiculousness of the Premier League’s proposals of how this would actually work has been revealed.
“From what I understand, the Premier League proposal would involve the Premiership season being extend to 39 games – and which clubs would play each other in the extra game to be played abroad.
“What effect could that have on promotion and relegation issues? Are we going to see local derbies played in a foreign country thousands of miles away? Are supporters supposed to accept missing on the biggest games of their season because it’s being played on the other side of the planet?
“Let’s face facts, the sole motivation for this is the Premier League to make more money – aren’t they making enough already.
“This displays a complete disregard not for the proud traditions of the English game as well as a crass lack of consideration for football supporters in general. Basically, it’s a case of “We’ve had their money here, now – where else can we get people to put their hands in their pockets.”
This conflict between the globalisation of football and its traditional roots ratchets up a notch with this proposal. What’s your take on it?
Tom Dunmore is the editor of Pitch Invasion.
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I’m fine with it. If the Premier League wants to be a business that’s fine.
But they should have the guts to remove themselves from the english football league system and drop any pretense that they’re a football league, as opposed to a money making machine.
Overkill.
More like roadkill.
[...] In order to make money, another “random” but seeded match would be added - meaning that each team would play 18 teams twice, and one three times. “What effect could that have on promotion and relegation issues? Are we going to see local derbies played in a foreign country thousands of miles away? Are supporters supposed to accept missing on the biggest games of their season because it’s being played on the other side of the planet?” Football Supporters’ Federation Chairman Malcolm Clarke (quote found on Pitch Invasion) [...]
When the Premiership corners all the markets that it possibly can, what will happen next?
It’s important to point out that this proposal is still at the embryonic stage. The players and coaches have yet to comment on the issue.
I once predicted football on the moon by 2020, you know.
I’m pretty sure the Premier League’s exploring miniaturization techniques that will allow them to market football to bacteria by 2025.
Insert joke about Millwall fans here.
Damn silly me, and i thought that the globalization of football meant people will play, enjoy and use this game to help with interaction around the world and be one of few things that unites us in this fragmented world. I need to stop being so naive
On the other note, I don’t know who EPL thinks they are, but I can see them getting people in Toronto, New York or Tokyo very exited about Middlesboro vs. Darby game. Can somebody please list 10 cities that can be used for this every year.
Sorry small type out. I can’t see them getting people exited
This proposal, to me, is a mixed bag. The opportunity to attend an actual EPL game would be amazing. No one can argue with that. Plus it makes sense as the EPL is the most popular league in the world and the fanbase stretches far beyond England and the UK. But I feel for the English fans and supporters as I would not take kindly to my American teams losing a game to foreign markets. I hate that the NFL is beginning to branch out to other nations.
I agree Micah, opportunity to attend an actual EPL game would be amazing and i’m looking forward to my trip next year to the actual English city located in the actual England. Actual EPL games are played ONLY in England and i don’t see how it makes any sense to change it. EPL teams already travel around the world in the offseason and we as fans can watch them play and talk to the players. This past summer i had an opportunity to watch TFC play Aston Villa and after the games talk to payers for 30 minutes.
$100 on that this won’t happen in the next 20 years.
I wouldn’t be so firm that such a proposal is going down the drain soon. When it comes to the money spinning business, we need someone like Scudamore to keep pushing the envelope and he has not disappoint by coming up with such an audacious plan.
Clubs like Derby, Sunderland and Birmingham will wasting their airfares when they come to Asia since they do not have the pulling power but in the form of a league match and playing against a big club, there is a higher chance of getting exposure and overseas sponsors. So in a way, it is spreading the wealth.
By the way, after watching how Manchester United and Liverpool, perfectly alright when left on their own, be saddled with huge personal debts by American owners so that they can own the clubs, EPL going aboard in pursuit of money does not raise the heckles for me anymore. ?
premier League is best league ever
MAN UTD RULES