[Football] Are we heading towards Arab states running Elite football?

[Gwylan]

In terms of ownership, the direction of travel in the Premier League is more US than Middle East. The following are US or predominantly US-owned:

Arsenal, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Burnley, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Everton, Fulham, Leeds, Liverpool and Man Utd.

That's 11 of 20. I think Premier League resolutions need 14 of 20 to pass, so we're not too far away from a position where US investors could, theoretically, effect significant changes to enhance the value of their holdings.

I'm still not convinced by this: US investors have bought into English football because of what it is: strongly competitive, relegations and promotions adding to the spice and partisan crowds. If they change it too much, the product would change.

And what could they introduce that make a significant difference? No promotion/relegation? No chance. The addition of non-English teams (Ie Celtic and Rangers)? Unlikely. Matches played abroad? Possible but there'd be some resistance to that as it would benefit the teams with strong foreign suppot.

There would certainly be trivial things they could change: pre-match entertainment, gimmick games like North v South, more aggressive selling of food and drink (and more big corporations - bye bye Harvey's) and possibly longer breaks: five minute breaks in each half and a 20 minute half-time - that would brng in more advertisers.

 

[Berty23]

I'm still not convinced by this: US investors have bought into English football because of what it is: strongly competitive, relegations and promotions adding to the spice and partisan crowds. If they change it too much, the product would change.

And what could they introduce that make a significant difference? No promotion/relegation? No chance. The addition of non-English teams (Ie Celtic and Rangers)? Unlikely. Matches played abroad? Possible but there'd be some resistance to that as it would benefit the teams with strong foreign suppot.

There would certainly be trivial things they could change: pre-match entertainment, gimmick games like North v South, more aggressive selling of food and drink (and more big corporations - bye bye Harvey's) and possibly longer breaks: five minute breaks in each half and a 20 minute half-time - that would brng in more advertisers.

What makes you think that rich Americans owners won’t get rid of relegation? Feels possible to me.

 

[rogersix]

Can't really blame them for looking to diversify for when the oil runs out

we will be extinct by the time the oil runs out

 

[Gwylan]

What makes you think that rich Americans owners won’t get rid of relegation? Feels possible to me.

Several reasons. Mainly, what if you're one of the teams relegated for the final time?

Let's consider there's a vote this summer and that there's no relegation from the PL in 26/27. How are teams going to vote? The three coming up? No way would they vote for it. Teams like West Ham and Wolves that have had narrow escapes in the last two season; would they be absolutely certain that they wouldn't be relegated in either of those two seasons? Particularly without players like Cunha, Bowen and Kudus. Bournemouth and Palace that have had decent seasons but could easily be stripped of coach and players: could they guarantee staying up? Brighton probably could be sure of staying up but I can't see Bloom/Barber voting for it. That's eight teams already, they'd only need seven.

But there are other factors too. Would UEFA allow it? There's no other league (at least not a major one) that is a closed shop. Would clubs risk being barred from European competition? And then there are the clubs in the EFL. Teams like Birmingham, Wrexham and others have spent large sums of money with the ultimate aim of promotion to the PL. I'd imagine they'd be seeking a lot of compensation if that was taken off them.

There's also the government to consider. The proposed Football Act could well include a provision for not allowing the PL to become closed. And the fans would certainly object, it was the strength of feeling among supporters that killed the Super League.

Finally, there's the factor that I've already mentioned: investors have bought into the PL because it's not like US sports. If you like the product as it is: why change it? I think the whole concept of doing away with relegation/promotion is a complete non-starter

 

[drew]

I'm still not convinced by this: US investors have bought into English football because of what it is: strongly competitive, relegations and promotions adding to the spice and partisan crowds. If they change it too much, the product would change.

And what could they introduce that make a significant difference? No promotion/relegation? No chance. The addition of non-English teams (Ie Celtic and Rangers)? Unlikely. Matches played abroad? Possible but there'd be some resistance to that as it would benefit the teams with strong foreign suppot.

There would certainly be trivial things they could change: pre-match entertainment, gimmick games like North v South, more aggressive selling of food and drink (and more big corporations - bye bye Harvey's) and possibly longer breaks: five minute breaks in each half and a 20 minute half-time - that would brng in more advertisers.

That's a rather romantic view of US investors! They are in it for one thing and one thing only and that is monetary reward.

 

[drew]

Several reasons. Mainly, what if you're one of the teams relegated for the final time?

Let's consider there's a vote this summer and that there's no relegation from the PL in 26/27. How are teams going to vote? The three coming up? No way would they vote for it. Teams like West Ham and Wolves that have had narrow escapes in the last two season; would they be absolutely certain that they wouldn't be relegated in either of those two seasons? Particularly without players like Cunha, Bowen and Kudus. Bournemouth and Palace that have had decent seasons but could easily be stripped of coach and players: could they guarantee staying up? Brighton probably could be sure of staying up but I can't see Bloom/Barber voting for it. That's eight teams already, they'd only need seven.

But there are other factors too. Would UEFA allow it? There's no other league (at least not a major one) that is a closed shop. Would clubs risk being barred from European competition? And then there are the clubs in the EFL. Teams like Birmingham, Wrexham and others have spent large sums of money with the ultimate aim of promotion to the PL. I'd imagine they'd be seeking a lot of compensation if that was taken off them.

There's also the government to consider. The proposed Football Act could well include a provision for not allowing the PL to become closed. And the fans would certainly object, it was the strength of feeling among supporters that killed the Super League.

Finally, there's the factor that I've already mentioned: investors have bought into the PL because it's not like US sports. If you like the product as it is: why change it? I think the whole concept of doing away with relegation/promotion is a complete non-starter

You're assuming that part of the deal won't be a selection of the clubs that can stay in the new relegation free club irrespective of final league positions in that final season!

 

[Iggle Piggle]

PSG,.Man City, Newcastle, World Cups in Qatar and Saudi with this bullshit club world cup financed by the Saudis and this is most probably just the start.

We've been shielded by all this being owned by a fan but we really are the exception.

You don't need to be Sherlock Holmes or even D.I Burnside to work out where the finance is all heading.

 

[dangull]

Their influence in boxing has been good. Many great boxing cards have been held recently, which Bob Arum and Don King would not have done.

 

[kojak]

Horse Racing is another

It’s not just England, I was shocked to find that Toulouse Airport is mostly Chinese owned, although they have now withdrawn

The Chinese own alot of vineyards too

 

[5Ways Gull]

If I was in charge I would create a world where all sensible countries would disassociate themselves from the USA completely and all sensible countries would just tell FIFA to F*ck Off! But I am a sad old pensioner with no control over anything so I can't make that happen. Sorry!!

 

[The Optimist]

What makes you think that rich Americans owners won’t get rid of relegation? Feels possible to me.

Almost feels unnecessary, especially if the three promoted teams are relegated yet again.

 

[Berty23]

Almost feels unnecessary, especially if the three promoted teams are relegated yet again.

Two of them are American owned.