I'm starting to think maybe it is. Real Madrid, Barca, Juve etc want in (want money) and the only way to do that is what they did a few years back, but the reality seems to be that the PL is moving further and further away from the rest of European leagues finances.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64473758
When and how does this all end? Give it 20 years and half the PL will be clubs with the finances of Chelsea, United, City, Newcastle. Investors, Oligarchs, Sheikhs, all want in.
We've got a big 7, only a matter of time until someone buys Everton, or Aston Villa, or Leeds etc., and we have a big 8, 9, 10.
Only a couple of super clubs outside of England seem capable of competing with the PL teams (where 25 years ago there was plenty)
Since 2018 I think the PL has had 6 CL finalists, Spain 2, France 1, Germany 1
https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/history/winners/finals/
Does anyone else think that in all but name its the PL that's turning into the ESL?
Is the PL the European Super League?
posted on 1/2/23
comment by Silver (U6112)
posted 4 seconds ago
comment by Boca Seniors (U19731)
posted 2 hours, 2 minutes ago
comment by Ham Tyler (U15867)
posted 22 minutes ago
When and how does this all end?
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All the big non-PL clubs that were originally involved in the ESL resigning from UEFA and re-starting the European Super League project between themselves, leaving out PL teams.
PL teams having play CL football against themselves and European minnows.
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No tv company will pay the big bucks for an ESL without the big EPL clubs.
The PL will still generate big TV money and their commercial deals are superior to most clubs on the continent.
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Disagree. All it takes is a LIV golf type investment that swamps the EPL and the players will follow the money. Over 5 years suddenly things ain't so rosy.
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Indian Super League would be a better example but it wouldn't happen.
posted on 1/2/23
comment by Silver (U6112)
posted 2 minutes ago
Any league can be manufactured as the EPL has shown. Owners won't pocket the money if they want to win - players will - I mean even more obscene.
It has gone quiet the unrest against FIFA & UEFA at the time of the WC and the Scandinavians and others iirc agitating for mass resignation on the back of being double crossed (again) over the rainbow stuff.
And for anyone interested this is a good summary of the legal cases that could bring about major change.
https://offthepitch.com/a/second-front-opens-legal-actions-may-change-face-european-football
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In that they refer 2 the sport as “entertainment product”
It us nit entertainment product
If i wanna b entertained i not gonna watch freakin soccer
I watch it in hope my team wins n crushes r enemies
posted on 1/2/23
comment by Boris 'Inky’ Gibson (U5901)
posted 5 minutes ago
Indian Super League would be a better example but it wouldn't happen.
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I know fack all about cricket
posted on 1/2/23
comment by Ham Tyler (U15867)
posted 4 hours, 16 minutes ago
When and how does this all end?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
All the big non-PL clubs that were originally involved in the ESL resigning from UEFA and re-starting the European Super League project between themselves, leaving out PL teams.
PL teams having play CL football against themselves and European minnows.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
How does it end?
Like all unsustainable financial bubbles do.
Over two thirds of PL clubs spend upwards of 85% of their annual revenues on player/agent acquisitions, wages and bonuses.
This means that almost none of this money ever really does anything to improve the "structure" of English football. It comes in and goes straight out of the game.
And every renewal of both local and international broadcast rights squeezes out even more money from subscribers and sponsors.
I don't think we're anywhere near close to the "ceiling", but there's bound to be a "correction" some day.
posted on 1/2/23
comment by Silver (U6112)
posted 1 hour, 53 minutes ago
comment by Boris 'Inky’ Gibson (U5901)
posted 5 minutes ago
Indian Super League would be a better example but it wouldn't happen.
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I know fack all about cricket
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Even you must have heard of the ISL and the riches it bestows on the players.
posted on 1/2/23
comment by Boris 'Inky’ Gibson (U5901)
posted 10 minutes ago
comment by Silver (U6112)
posted 1 hour, 53 minutes ago
comment by Boris 'Inky’ Gibson (U5901)
posted 5 minutes ago
Indian Super League would be a better example but it wouldn't happen.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I know fack all about cricket
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Even you must have heard of the ISL and the riches it bestows on the players.
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I'll be perfectly honest mate, I was aware of something but zero idea the scale or impact in the game. It really gets no coverage up here and vast majority have no interest whatsoever. It may as well be Canadian ice hockey.
posted on 1/2/23
The way it's going, the PL is indeed turning into a superleague all on its own, but the big European clubs aren't just going to sit around waiting to go out of business or become increasingly insignificant.
From that perspective, it looks like the ESL proposal was more an opening skirmish and a drawing of battle lines.
Bayern and PSG are the kingmakers, imo. If they could be convinced, then things would really gather pace. You could easily draw up a 16-team continental league with major historical clubs from big cities.
posted on 1/2/23
"Germany won’t happen because of fan power and PL doesn’t need it."
Bayern and Dortmund said at the last fiasco they want nothing to do with it!..
So, I cant see many German teams wanting it!..
posted on 1/2/23
comment by it'sonlyagame - today I feel like Fred Fe... (U6426)
posted 1 hour, 12 minutes ago
The way it's going, the PL is indeed turning into a superleague all on its own, but the big European clubs aren't just going to sit around waiting to go out of business or become increasingly insignificant.
From that perspective, it looks like the ESL proposal was more an opening skirmish and a drawing of battle lines.
Bayern and PSG are the kingmakers, imo. If they could be convinced, then things would really gather pace. You could easily draw up a 16-team continental league with major historical clubs from big cities.
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PSG are hardly a major historical club.
posted on 2/2/23
comment by LufcGermany (U6066)
posted 9 hours, 59 minutes ago
"Germany won’t happen because of fan power and PL doesn’t need it."
Bayern and Dortmund said at the last fiasco they want nothing to do with it!..
So, I cant see many German teams wanting it!..
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BM have the fan and social thing going on, fook knows about PSG but ultimately money will talk. They can shun it no problem and then be marginalised. There are plenty potential European giants in Glasgow, Amsterdam, Bucharest, Budapest, Copenhagen, Zagreb, Donetsk and many more that would take their place. Let's face it the 'financial powerhouses' of Leicester, Southampton, Bournemouth, Brighton, Brentford are wholly manufactured so the same would happen. And given that RB Leipzig are so hated in their own country I am convinced given the right circumstances they'd be up for taking the place.