The big story of the week was the announcement by the Premier League that it is considering the idea of staging some matches around the rest of the world. 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 five different venues, 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.
My immediate reaction when I heard the announcement was that it was a crazy idea and another example of English soccer selling its soul and blatantly chasing the money. However, it also has to be accepted that the Premier League is now a global phenomenon. The league's income from the sale of overseas TV rights has already increased from £178m in 2001 to £625m for the current deal that runs until 2010. Broadcaster NowTV paid around £100m for the rights to Hong Kong alone. Premier League games are broadcast to over 600m homes in 202 countries worldwide, while an estimated 1 billion people watched the Premier League game between Arsenal and Manchester United in November 2007. From a football (as opposed to business) perspective, the proposal seems quite problematic as it is adding an extra game into an already over-crowded calendar which includes meaningless international friendlies. By playing certain teams three times a season a situation will be created which will favour some clubs while disadvantaging others. Premiership titles, Champions League places and relegation battles might be ultimately decided by the extra overseas game. If a club like Sunderland are fighting the drop and their extra game is against Manchester United, this will give a huge advantage to a relegation rival like Wigan whose extra fixture might be against Derby. What do you think? Post your views to www.uccffc.blogspot.com from Monday afternoon onwards.
My immediate reaction when I heard the announcement was that it was a crazy idea and another example of English soccer selling its soul and blatantly chasing the money. However, it also has to be accepted that the Premier League is now a global phenomenon. The league's income from the sale of overseas TV rights has already increased from £178m in 2001 to £625m for the current deal that runs until 2010. Broadcaster NowTV paid around £100m for the rights to Hong Kong alone. Premier League games are broadcast to over 600m homes in 202 countries worldwide, while an estimated 1 billion people watched the Premier League game between Arsenal and Manchester United in November 2007. From a football (as opposed to business) perspective, the proposal seems quite problematic as it is adding an extra game into an already over-crowded calendar which includes meaningless international friendlies. By playing certain teams three times a season a situation will be created which will favour some clubs while disadvantaging others. Premiership titles, Champions League places and relegation battles might be ultimately decided by the extra overseas game. If a club like Sunderland are fighting the drop and their extra game is against Manchester United, this will give a huge advantage to a relegation rival like Wigan whose extra fixture might be against Derby. What do you think? Post your views to www.uccffc.blogspot.com from Monday afternoon onwards.
2 comments:
Platini's quote isn't that far from the truth. While there is merit in the idea it has to be done for the right reasons and not just money.
The NFL are doing it one game at a time, while the PL are looking to take a whole round of fixtures. I'm not so sure about that.
Aodh makes a good point re: fixture congestion. For me this can only work if the Prem is reduced to 18 teams, in line with most of the other top European leagues. Extra games on the current structure are just too much.
- Paul K.
It does seem to be looking a moot point now however, given the chilly response it has received.
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