European league

[Doore]

I hope this doesn't happen - not sure of the consequences for lower league football, but it seems like a step too far.  Any thoughts?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/8206510.stm

[reeves4england]

An interesting proposition, but I hope it doesn't happen. The only reason the Champions League is not providing enough funding for some is because of the wealth it has created amongst the 'elite' clubs. A bit like the Premiership and the Football League. Creating a European League would probably just continue or even enhance the differences in funding.

[glos_robin]

If the worst was to happen and it did come about I hope that once it's fallen on it's ass (as it will when the novelty of travelling thousands of miles to away games has worn off) that as a condition of them leaving they'd have to start at the very bottom of the pyramid if they wish to rejoin the English football league. I would imagine that would make them think twice about joining some European league as well.

On a side note but kind of relevant IMO there's too many foreign owners of English clubs at the moment who don't give two shits about the game and it's history. They're just out to play with their toys and don't care what damage it does in the long run, thats where these stupid ideas like the European league and a 39th game come from as a result. If some of the owners got their own way they'd probably have Man City based in Dubai by now and Notts County in the Arabian desert or something daft like that.

[donkey]

As long as it's a closed shop then fine.  The 'big' clubs can fuck off and play with themselves 20 times a season on some pay per view deal, which I can totally ignore.

We can then resturcture English football properly, redistrube the wealth more equitably and go back to football being something to be proud of in this country.

[Reg Smeeton]

 I read the article this morning in the Guardian...it's no more than Wenger thinking out loud.

 I've thought for a while, this is an inevitable consequence of globalisation...as long as it retains some sort of promotion and relegation, then I don't see a problem.

[donkey]

I read the article this morning in the Guardian...it's no more than Wenger thinking out loud.

 I've thought for a while, this is an inevitable consequence of globalisation...as long as it retains some sort of promotion and relegation, then I don't see a problem.

This is where I disagree.  At the moment I do watch the Premier League, because, as much as I hate the greed is good, 39th game culture, it's where I want Swindon to be.  It is the top league in England, and I want Swindon to be successful.  However, if they ran this league as a closed shop, I could ignore it as it would have no bearing or relevence to Swindon.  It would mean all the money chasers could bugger off and leave us all alone.

[Arch Stanton]

As long as it's a closed shop then fine.  The 'big' clubs can fuck off and play with themselves 20 times a season on some pay per view deal, which I can totally ignore.

We can then resturcture English football properly, redistrube the wealth more equitably and go back to football being something to be proud of in this country.

Excellent post, the sooner a superleague is formed the better in my opinion.

[RobertT]

It's unlikely it would ever work with promotion and relegation, so it would have to be a closed shop.  You then have the problem that will become clear after a season or two, that in a league format with nothing other than top spot up for grabs, it becomes a bit pointless for most teams halfway through.  How do you prevent that? most likely by copying some aspects of American sports in ensuring teams are evenly matched and win as much as they lose or at least get a better chance the next year.  I can;t see the top teams enjoying that prospect, so I think it's doomed to failure.  More likely they'll continue to hatch plans to make sure they can milk as much Champions League cash as possible while retaining some form of knockout basis within it to keep it interesting and so bring in the TV deals.

[Arriba]

i dont like the idea,but think it's inevitable.
the champions league is too big and drawn out already,but money means it will noly grow further

[SwindonTartanArmy]

Here is a novel idea. Why dont the top clubs stop forking out stupid amounts of cash on players that arent worth it. Try living with in your cunting means and you wont find that the champions league doesnt give you enough cash!!! Cunts.

[Nomoreheroes]

A few thoughts:
- I understand the need for my more - Its called greed.
- Noone tries to cut back - Look at all the jobless who continue to smoke for example
- Promotion & Relegation? No chance. A closed shop it would be.
- With a closed shop the owners can structure wages and impose salary caps ie You can start to run football like a fantasy football league
- You can build massive stadiums with alternative purposes too. Eg Gyms, casinos etc
- You can then start to make entry to the stadiums season tickets only, which gets rid of your hooliganism problem.
- Given no hooliganism problem you can reduce your policing costs but also increase your earning power by selling beer again
- Since you can make more money in fewer games, you can afford to play less games. You can then sell TV rights to all your preseason training games as the crowds and TV watching audience wont be able to get enough of it!
- You then strike up affiliate programs with 'smaller clubs' and create feeder leagues. From this you are able to invest and make them 'bigger clubs' and milk the same fans who follow a European League team to follow and attend a greater number of matches that are played by the tin pot team. 
- The end result? NFL and College football equivalents for football in Europe.

[nevillew]

NMH, you've missed out two points there I think:-

1) franchising
2) geographical constraints minimise away fans, which has the same effect on hooliganism