https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/us-sports-executive-suggests-champions-103718353.html Or American makes your blood boil thread. American who attended that recent meeting with the 'top' EPL clubs says more money could be made if teams like Leicester and PSG weren't in Champion's League. Says who has done most for football...Manchester United or Leicester. Discuss.
I think he has a really good point. He demonstrates a fine understanding of the game. We could vastly improve football by making it a beauty contest and introducing a franchise structure to maximise income. It's time to get real and stop holding back progress. To start with we could merge with them chaps down the road to become "Porthampton" or "Team Solent" or something.
Perhaps someone should suggest revamping their sports (baseball, American football, basketball ....) with promotion/relegation. That would make it interesting, when "big" teams have a bad season and are replaced by a smaller, better run, term. One thing I do like though, is the fact that the lower placed teams get first pick on new young players coming through. Stops the teams with all the money buying the talent, then putting them on the bench or loaning them out.
The proposed European Super League is a form of franchise as the clubs forming it will stay in it and could only be expanded by invitation of other super rich clubs. The remaining English clubs could be brilliant in our own league but wouldn't get "promoted" to the ESL as it would threaten those already in it who will be protecting their financial interest. Maybe the proposed ESL would adopt the draft system similar to the US Football to make sure the league remains competitive? Well maybe not
Silly article, even in the closed off system of American sports, some teams are way more successful and popular than others.
Football is a sport which is entertaining and (hopefully) profitable. The plan seems to be trying to turn it on its head by making it profitable and entertaining, but with the sport part bringing up a distant third.
Can't do it. The MLS, MLB, NFL, NBA teams are franchises whereas teams in lower divisions are just teams. You have to apply to form a new franchise to get into the top leagues.
I tried to find a picture of me giving a **** about what an American executive thinks will improve sport - couldn't find one. There probably is more money to be made out of football, but only short term, and only if us "customers" don't have any alternative choices. I don't think the yanks are quite as tribal as us, and just don't get the point of competitive sport
Americans seem to like sports where there are big scores as if they aren't entertained unless they have goals, dunks whatever every minute. When football was first introduced seriously in America, it was mooted that draws should be decided by penalty shoot outs because the American audience didn't understand the concept of a draw. Probably maligning them by lumping them together as if they don't vary like everyone else, but certainly suggests that an American shouldn't be let loose on the already successful European football. Apart from the odd tweak every now and again, it's fine as it is.
And it's exactly this attitude to teams like Leicester, that make people want them to win it - cos it will upset the big business people and their way of how football should be.
He is right in a way though, which is the reason I think that a European super league will happen eventually. Like it or not the main income for the top teams is coming from abroad now with the bigger TV money being driven by the PL's popularity worldwide, and the majority of the fans abroad support the top sides, and would most likely love to see a big team play another big team every week.
Ummm what? The draft system makes American sports far more competitive than any others that I can think of.
Only for those teams already in the particular competition, and even then it only gives the potentially best players to the poorest performing teams, not proven in any way. Without a league structure that requires relegation/promotion, there is no incentive to try and improve the very worst teams so an American "Leicester" would never happen.
The flaw here is that you presume that all these "world fans" share the tribal loyalty of the mad people who support clubs here. A mate of mine who has lived in Thailand for quite a few years noted that Man Utd stuff was dumped and replaced by Man City once City began to "show". If Leicester win the league they'll interest a world audience.
