Threat posed by a Euro Super League

[taylov]

I can't really understand all of the shock and horror that seems to have been released by the news of this proposed new Euro league.  This was being discussed in the US press when John Henry/ Fenway Sports Group took control of Liverpool FC in 2010.  At his US press conference 11 years ago, John Henry stated his intentions to move in this direction.

The lack of relegation/promotion that the new league proposes is exactly what already exists in most professional US sport - baseball, hockey and gridiron all work to this model.

In the US fans have little or no impact on their clubs. The owners have purchased a franchise (much like McDonalds) which is a licence to print money. Seat prices have gone through the roof in the last decade or so but most owners don't give a toss whether their teams play in empty stadia because the real money comes from sponsors, media rights etc.  I heard it told in the USA that when Mr Henry bought Liverpool his people had no idea that the Premier League operated relegation/promotion.

Bottom line for those of us who love non-league football is that if vast sums are taken out of the game in the UK by the 6 defecting clubs there will be less and less for the non-league.

[halifax08]

If said clubs wish to form a super league, then so be it. Let them. However, they should be kicked out of any other competition. The English pyramid will readjust and become more exciting. If they come grovelling back, then they would need to reapply to a lower league at the bottom of the pyramid. But as I write, it would seem Chelsea and Manchester City are already changing their minds.

[unknownquantity]

It seems that now all six English teams have withdrawn or will be withdrawing from the Euro Super League.