The new TV deal for Premier League teams is obscene, and rightly so.
It is important for English (British) football to be popular internationally, it is the ultimate sport in terms of soft-power, even surpassing the Olympics. It is culturally speaking 'our Hollywood'.
I want people from oppressive or corrupt countries watching the Premier League, enjoying the spectacle, being entertained.
I want them to see our campaigns against racism.
I want them to discover how more and more Premier League teams have female counter-parts.
I even want them to hear about scandals concerning racism, homophobia and islamophobia, and how our nation reacts, debates and moves towards equality.
I want Iranian, Chinese and even American citizens to witness all of this and maybe think, 'Wait the UK isn't that bad, perhaps they do have a better approach in terms of democracy, freedom and equality.'
Sport IS a platform for change.
And though we like to complain, the UK is one of the greatest places to live on the planet (I'm a big fan of Canada, Netherlands and the Scandinavian systems too).
It is important that we, the free people of the UK have as loud a cultural megaphone as possible.
However to do that we must have the most popular, and therefore the richest league in the world.
Shankly was right afterall x
The Bigger Picture In HD
posted on 11/2/15
There isn't a lot that is British about the Premier League, most of the top clubs are foreign owned, foreign managed and full of foreign players sponsored by foreign companies. That's not a judgement, it's just saying that if you want to learn more about British culture then the Premier League isn't really the place to go to.
posted on 11/2/15
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 11/2/15
"That program talked about the history of Italy, why certain cities were rivals, what kind of food was favoured in different parts of the country... they went out of their way to explain Italian culture to the British x"
-----
As someone who's spent a fair bit of time in Italy, certainly during the last ten years, I can honestly say watching Italian football prior to this made little to no difference to my time in that country, other than being a little more informed than I might have been when talking to friends and acquaintances about football.
It didn't even change my preference of ice cream flavours.
But maybe that's just me...
posted on 11/2/15
It didn't even change my preference of ice cream flavours.
But maybe that's just me...
---
He never even had Jjjuuust one Cooornettoooo!
posted on 11/2/15
If Clubs are making this much money from TV deals........surely ticket prices should come down??..wait a min, they are going up too.
So all we are doing is pumping money into these Businesses, who make the owners money, who pay inflated salaries and transfer fees, to 18 year olds who can demand 100K per week.
Add to that fans must pay an extortionate amount to watch their beloved team on TV OR Live.
Why do you think there is so much emphasis on 4th Spot?? Its all about the money..and the Business\Clubs convince the world that's its massive, bigger than an FA cup win.
May as well call the premier league "Wall Street"
posted on 11/2/15
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 11/2/15
And totally correct btw
posted on 11/2/15
Watching Spanish football programme - Revista, has given me more knowledge of the geography of Spain...
and little else.
I will also say I agree with others about looking forward to the collapse of it all. It will eat itself....
Top flight football, particularly in England is a financial disaster waiting to happen, like the banking fiasco recently...
Ticket prices go up and football fans lap it up... but one day they wont, one day it will be £100+ to watch a 90min game, then the worm will turn. Hopefully.
posted on 11/2/15
Top level football isn't a financial disaster, it's the complete opposite. The bubble is a long long way away from bursting just yet.
The rest of football is the disaster. Since the premier league was formed, two thirds of football clubs har gone into administration.
The issue is that the premier league and te clubs within it see themselves as the product. That is wrong, the product wouldn't exist or would change entirely if it wasn't for the football league and grass roots.
posted on 11/2/15
Yes it's a romantic notion the O.P has, and if genuine, then respect due.
Unfortunately it is what it is. I don't see why a Cap is that hard to enforce?.
Maybe take a few ideas from the NFL. I'm thinking the way peoples viewing habits have changed, the Mobile Device revolution and Streaming is where the best value for money will come for the everyday fan.
But ultimately even though I can't go as much, it's those guys that make it to match day that need to be heavily rewarded.
Without them, you got nothing.