A new week and a new guest blogger. Today is the turn of regular MFW commenter Peter Divey (Cobwatch) who looks at the unedifying prospect of the Premier League heading down the US franchise route and, as a result, becoming a closed shop…
Rumours have swirled for years that if the correct combination of teams were to find themselves in the Premier League it would become a fixed franchise, without promotion or relegation.
But, just which football teams are the most desirable? It would be impossible to implement without putting numerous large noses out of joint. The furore would be considerable. Politicians and parliaments would become embroiled. Flak would be everywhere.
The Premier League would no doubt take such an opportunity to correct a few anomalies and future-proof itself:
- It would reduce from 20 to 16 teams
- It would introduce breaks into the season
- Each team would develop its own in-house TV brand to maximise engagement and merchandising
- TV and video highlight packages will become the property of the club after 72 hours
- TV revenue will be organised solely by the Premier League with no club having the right to negotiate private deals with outside broadcasters
- The Premier League would eventually become its own broadcaster, controlling all rights and TV revenue
The first big issue, probably, would be how to invite Celtic and Rangers to join. There would, of course, be lots of hurdles to jump, but I think the Premier League would try hard. Scottish football would, as a result, be decimated, but money talks… so, that leaves only 14 places.
And then how do you whittle them down? And what criteria to use?
Ultimately only one thing matters. The ability to make money, lots and lots of money. So…
Celtic ✅
Rangers ✅
And then, there are just six teams who have been ever-present in the Premier League. These would have to be included to form the stable, solid core. So…
Arsenal ✅
Chelsea ✅
Everton ✅
Liverpool ✅
Manchester Utd ✅
Tottenham ✅
And already we are down to just eight remaining places. So…
Manchester City ✅, for obvious reasons, are a shoo-in… and then there were seven spaces.
Now it becomes much more difficult. But you want teams with large, passionate fan bases. So…
Newcastle ✅ …and then there were six.
The Premier League will need the ‘Fairy Tale’ team. Rich owners, recently involved in an emotive tragedy.
Leicester City ✅… and down to five.
What of the other London clubs? I suspect the Premier League would demand another. So…
West Ham ✅ Four places left.
But many so-called “big” teams are still missing. Past history and glory remain a factor, whether we like it or not, and the Premier League values the potential to make money above almost anything else. So…
Leeds United ✅ …and then there were three.
But still, there are other factors to consider. Local derbies. Midlands teams? Sheffield? Sunderland? The options are numerous. And should the south coast get a look in? Or, heaven forbid, East Anglia?
I think they’d be keen for the second city to be represented. So…
Aston Villa ✅… and we’re down to two.
And then it gets really tough. Surprisingly tough. Expand the league to 18 teams? No. But history counts, so…
Nottingham Forest ✅ … and only one place left.
Trying to compile this list demonstrated to me why it is unlikely to happen. Too many losers. The heart of the English football cramped and stunted. Scottish football all but destroyed. Too many ramifications and numerous unintended consequences.
But who would the Premier League choose as its final member? Ipswich have fallen too far; our team, Norwich, not a chance. Sunderland, West Brom, Wolves, Middlesbrough, Southampton, Blackburn have all won the Premier League or had cup success at some stage of their history. But if I had to take a stab based on wealth and current status…
Wolves ✅
I really hope it never happens. A so-called breakaway European Club Super League will be just as tough to create. Which is why I think it all remains pie in the sky.
Football fans severed from hope and denied local battles. Surely that is folly?
Peter, folly or not, something along those lines could happen, and probably will at some stage. It’s just the mix, and I’m sure you’ve got most of them right.
It then becomes a question of “is it what the public want?” – I for one wouldn’t be interested enough to pay a tv subscription to watch it, but I bet enough people would. Celtic apparently have nine million supporters (followers?) world wide, so maybe there’s enough money in it to make it happen, but I won’t be contributing.
I’ll still be City till I die!
Jim, i think it will happen. The “mix” is everything, and i found it surprisingly difficult beyond the obvious. If the PL can make it pay…they will find a way.
Footballs equivalent of Armeggedon. Could it happen? yes I think it probably could. However there is a lot of great football in the left overs and perhaps in the long term it may just level the competitiveness of football.
In fact the more I think about it the more appealing it sounds let’s get rid of these over populist and pompous clubs and the self gratifying broadcasters and pundits with them into a self contained bubble.
Blimey that turned into a rant. What a great blog, very thought provoking.
Andy, a justified rant. I keep thinking it will not happen, then i think it will…as you say, plenty of spice in them “leftovers”. Armageddon?…the PL will not care.
Hi Peter
This franchise concept (and I hope it remains just that, a concept) has been around for a while and has shades of the Orwellian about it.
You’ve done a great job with your breakdown of who would be included – and therefore who wouldn’t!
It’s interesting that if that were to be the case, a fair old list of current PL clubs would be ostracised: ourselves, Sheffield Utd, Brighton, Burnley, Palace, Bournemouth, Southampton, etc, all of whom will constitute our major revivals this season.
A very interesting and thought-provoking article
Martin, just so, and a very solid argument against this idea. But the idea of the PL coming into being seemed mighty far-fetched at the time…and was justified because the England Team would certainly go on to greater heights. Perhaps that argument would be used again?
You Have given that some thought, I think it would possibly kill football, there would be no incentive to win the championship, where would the winners go, the money from the FA is peanut shells. The Football League would have to start working on making a large carrot to dangle making winning the championship worth while. Perhaps get Europe bosses to take the UEFA Cup away from the super league making it the prize for winning the what is the 1st tier of the football league.
It would make the Premier League a giant cash cow monster, even worse than it is now.
Jim says .Is it what the public want ? I thought the price of Sky was disgusting for a month of paying for channels etc that will hardly ever be looked at in their sky lifetime. But there will always people who will find a away of purchasing any new package or super offer.
I would not be getting anywhere near it, I use BT and any streaming I can find, BT have just increased the sport package by a very very modest £4 pm. ( I did moan a little)
I am sure the like of Celtic, Rangers & Forest will bite hands off to get into that, with no relegation, a sort of made for life thing.
As for fans. since when the hell have we ever mattered ? Their is a global market for TV, Sometimes after reading various documents reports etc, I wonder if some clubs would rather play behind closed doors without pesky fans, more money made from TV .
Keep it I have no real interest in watching Manchester City beat most sides week in, nor see Arsenal struggle to get the engine started or guess who will be the next Chelski manager, I don’t watch it now and certainly will not be considering.
As for this fan, It is Norwich City whatever league they play in……until the day I die, and if possible longer, if it is allowed up there or more likely down.
canarylad, all good points, but the PL does not give a hoot about tradition or emotion. “It would make the PL a giant cash cow monster…” Exactly!
I not too bothered about an exclusive super league as long as there’s enough money and competition in the rest of football to maintain a good healthy league system. I haven’t watched MOTD unless Norwich were involved, for many years, just not interested in super clubs.
Herr Cutz…unless you just happen to be one of the super clubs, when it is all OK. You are a barber? How much for yellow dye with green stripes?
I remember reading a few years ago at the Premiership AGM some American club owners asked the question about stopping Relegation and Promotion and at the time were told that it would never be stopped.
Now there is a different ownership not so many British owners so as you rightly say cash is the be and end all in the game, All the foreign owners pump millions into clubs and will not want to lose that cash stream.
Ashley at Newcastle is having to contend with prospective buyers wanting a relegation clause and his argument is I sell a Premiership club to someone they get relegated it’s not my concern they owned it when they went down not me, so no Claus.
Personnelly I don’t think or hope it will ever happen I think that even the money grabbing Premiership will be scared by the fall out from supporters, bring the 2 Scottish clubs in would kill their game instead of being top dogs in a small league they will be run of the mill in such a set up and no titles or cups due to bigger teams against them each week.
Great article and this will have started a great discussion
Onwards and Upwards
OTBC
If a true franchise why not new teams built on owners money, potential fan base possible amalgamations. Who in China would worry bout the providence of Sheffield Rangers or East Midland Colliers. Even some of your shoo-ins may be worried.
Norwich and Ipswich “Iceni United”? Perhaps not.
Surely a no relegation franchise “super” league would be based on the NFL model, small divisions, play-offs and a super final. Can’t see it happening but if it did, I think we’d have a better brand with what was left! OTBC…. Whatever league we’re in.
Alex, an interesting choice for the Scottish twosome…big fish in a little pond, or the reverse. I think they would go for it. They would relish the challenge and expect to do well.
I would question the concept and the ability to make it happen. For years there has been mention of the scotish two joining the English leagues and it hasn’t happened. I think there would be too much resistance from the English teams in general for it to happen. Much like rubgy’s 6 nations keeping a closed shop because they already have it so good.
If it were to happen I do believe that whilst the Scots are a long way behind now, they might compete after an adjustment period. Their success hinging as much on the fatness of the wallet of their owner as the rest of the participants.
But heres another question for all those teams used to qualifying for Europe, do you suddenly want to reduce your chances? Do you as Man U want to risk sliding further towards midtable obscurity if the Scots get up to speed? Do you as Celtic risk perpetual automatic qualification for a risk of once in a bluemoon? (Thats not just Europe that would be titles too) As Rangers do you accept a probable perpetual struggle at the bottom with little prospect of Europe for the forseeable?
The biggest issue I’d have though is how sterile the league would be for half the teams, perhaps for perpetuity. With no relegation 6-8 teams could be done with the season by anywhere from Oct-Jan. With no relegation to fight how does a team maintain a competitve mindset when already 30points behind Citeh marching towards their 12th successive title? How quickly will the Rangers, Newcs, Everton, Forest etc fans get sick of knowing they are going to finish in the bottom 6, knowing they will do over and over again.
As a Norwich fan the yoyoing of the last 10 years has been fantastic. I’m sure Newcs had there best season in years romping home in there Championship campaign, I know a couple of Villains that said that being in the championship was fantastic after the horrible knowing of another season of struggles to compete at the top table. I know the owners would never want to be outside of the haves league but the poor fans might seriously lose love for the arrangement and fast.
Of course if you’re Everton you’d be used to making up numbers, never likely to challenge for anything more than 6th, never too close to the trapdoor. Must be a little dull. Hopefully we’ll findout over the next few years!
Bah!
Football without threat of relegation is not football in my book. I’m all for aiming high, but not bastardizing the sport.
Possibly the next step in the Premiership conundrum will be a 20 club championship renamed to Premiership 2 that was proposed a while back then the top non league teams make up league 3.
Then carry on as normal promotion and relegation between all leagues.