Putting the morals and traditions aside, this format of ESL is just a really bad business idea, by being so non-inclusive.
I will be the first to support an ESL if they go about it right. They need to take a leaf from T-20 in India. Create a dozen NEW teams that pick squads from the teams locally, a bit like international teams. A genuine franchise model that all the teams have an equal share of that doesn't the benefit the top teams only, limited games, but the best of the best. Also takes pressure of players to join a top team if they get selected.
Sometimes you need the worse possible idea to generate better alternatives.
in the US, MLS owns the players and the teams, while unlikely to be the model for the super league, I can see the league having ownership of player contracts...
Maybe a parting of the ways or bluff. If the former expect it will end up like kerry packer and cricket - temporary beak and then come back together.
Biggest clubs want a bigger slice of the cake. Interesting though that sky seem to demand relegation from prem for restart last season as that bumps up interest in crunch games that adds drama. Similarly champ play offs.
There seems to be three options: 1) The six participate in the Super League + continue in the PL, 2) a compromise is reached giving them more power and money, or 3) they break away completely, gambling that this new league has the same draw as the PL.
Option 1 would undermine the PL in the same way as Option 3, as the six prioritise the European games. Option 2 is would result in a proxy version of the same thing, with the gulf in incomes / resources making it a separate league in all but name. So from where I'm standing let's see them attempt Option 3, we'll have our competitive league structure back and they can all f**k off into obscurity.
There seems to be three options: 1) The six participate in the Super League + continue in the PL, 2) a compromise is reached giving them more power and money, or 3) they break away completely, gambling that this new league has the same draw as the PL.
Option 1 would undermine the PL in the same way as Option 3, as the six prioritise the European games. Option 2 is would result in a proxy version of the same thing, with the gulf in incomes / resources making it a separate league in all but name. So from where I'm standing let's see them attempt Option 3, we'll have our competitive league structure back and they can all f**k off into obscurity.
I always thought it was a power play bluff to engineer option 2, but the last 24 hours looks like we are now well beyond that.
You don’t get JP Morgan suggesting the figures they are suggested and American and Middle Eastern Tv Companies doing all the talking they’re doing...and then climb back into bed with UEFA.
So it’s option 1 which I guess would be the English clubs preference, or if they lose their gamble it’s option 3.
The PL and 'other 14' clubs are in a tough spot here. They are so massively reliant on the cash that the top six bring that you could see their chairmen voting in their own self-interest and accepting the blood money by allowing them to continue. They would have to see that they'd be signing the PLs death warrant though surely.