on Radio 5 yesterday they said that a "video streaming company" was involved with the rights. Im guessing Amazon?
I hate myself for even thinking or saying this, but I will certainly be cheering Leeds on tonight and Sunday
The days of Steaua and Red Star being super powers again, sign me up. When European football was interesting and fun to watch.
Capitalism has stolen our game. Let them bugger off, nationalise the domestic league system, 51% fan owned clubs, salary and ticket price caps, scrap VAR, etc etc.
I can't help thinking that somewhere there's a slippery individual sitting in a darkened room, surrounded by charts and plans, pulling lots of strings and cackling in an high-pitched voice. By the way, whatever happened to Dominic Cummings?
Let's not forget that the US is now changing its laws for sports betting in many states. Just thought I'd leave that with you all. Most of these owners already own US sports teams.
So it seems I was a little premature with my "paper talk" comment. I would be a little bit disappointed if it did happen to be honest. I want to see my club go toe to toe with the best players in the world and this has a good chance of stopping that from happening. However, I do genuinely believe that a lot of the top players would not go, assuming FIFA keep up their threat of stopping them competing in International matches. So it could redistribute those A tier players I suppose.
Thats the one, but they're stating they've not been in discussions. However the journalists who broke the story were pretty on point at saying they're the organisation that have been approached.
It would be an exhibition league. I don't think any of this will actually happen. I think several of the "big six" will bottle it. And then everyone will. If they do bail from their domestic leagues, though, I don't think the viewing figures for an ESL would be that great after the novelty of the first season. I can't imagine that the average Villa or Newcastle fan will care much about watching Juventus vs Atleti for the 4th time that season. Or City vs Inter. Who would give a shìt? Where's the jeopardy? The structure would mean that the only teams with anything to play for would be those in reach of 1st. So if a team was running away with the league, all matches for teams placed 3rd to 12th would be complete dead rubbers. Exhibitions. The value of those matches isn't just seeing the best players go head to head, it's what is at stake and the rarity of it. Also, as a sidenote, imagine how expensive they'd made the tickets - £150 quid to watch 11th placed Milan play bottom of the table Arsenal? I don't think there'll be many takers. Never mind the travel/hotel costs to/in Milan, Madrid, Turin.
I imagine if it did happen they'd do something where there's end of season play-offs for the top 6 or 8 so there's still something to play for. Be it getting into the play-offs or improving their position within the top 6/8.
And, if all this comes to fruition, can we go back to Divs 1- 4 please, none o this Premier League, Championship malarkey.
Playoffs to determine the champion. That's how US sports work in general. Gets you a big final game (aka the superbowl) to bring in the big money.
Mesut Özil (@MesutOzil1088) Tweeted: Kids grow up dreaming to win the World Cup and the Champions League - not any Super League. The enjoyment of big games is that they only happen once or twice a year, not every week. Really hard to understand for all football fans out there...⚽ Got retweeted by Dike, and he's well used to the franchise model.