Posted February 7, 200817 yr The English Premier League is considering playing some matches overseas, BBC Sport has learned. At a meeting in London on Thursday, all 20 clubs agreed to explore a proposal to extend the season to 39 games. Those 10 extra games would be played at venues around the world, with cities bidding for the right to stage them. It is understood the additional fixtures could be determined by a draw but that the top-five teams could be seeded to avoid playing each other. This is a chance for the Premier League to showcase its product around the world More details may emerge later on Thursday, but it is unlikely any decision will be taken before the Premier League's annual summer meeting in June. Should the proposal get the go-ahead, changes could come into effect for the 2010/11 season, with points from those extra games counting towards the final league table. It is believed each chosen venue would host two matches over a weekend. Cities in Asia, Middle East and North America are likely to show a strong interest in hosting the extra games. BBC sports editor Mihir Bose says the Premier League's decision to explore such a move is a "logical" one. "The growth of the Premier League has been impressive in the last 15 years thanks to the sale of television rights in this country," he said. "But now the market in the United Kingdom is becoming saturated and it is the overseas market which is now the big target area." The Premier League's income from the sale of overseas TV rights has already increased from £178m in 2001 to £625m for the current deal that runs until 2010. Broadcaster NowTV paid around £100m for the rights to Hong Kong alone. Premier League games are broadcast to over 600m homes in 202 countries worldwide, while an estimated 1bn people watched the Premier League game between Manchester United and Arsenal in November 2007. A number of top-flight clubs already play matches around the world as they seek to capitalise on the huge global interest in the English game. Man Utd make regular visits to Asia and are proving a big hit in China Manchester United are regular visitors to Asia, Middle East and America while other clubs are beginning to follow their lead. "This is a chance for the Premier League to showcase its product around the world," added Bose. "Some fans may feel aggrieved, but their concerns will be outweighed in the eyes of the clubs by the financial advantages. "The clubs will see this as a chance to make more money so they can invest in new facilities and better players." However, the co-chairman of the Football Supporters Federation suggested there would be a huge backlash to the Premier League's plan. "I'm fairly confident in predicting that the overwhelming majority of football supporters will be totally opposed to this proposal," Malcolm Clarke told the BBC. "This is yet another case of the Premier League threatening the tradition of our game simply to follow money. What I want to do is put a challenge to the Premier League to abandon this completely if the majority of supporters turn out to be against it "The idea that teams can play a league game in a place where their supporters won't be able to go and watch them will be totally opposed by the vast majority of supporters. "What I want to do is put a challenge to the Premier League to abandon this completely if the majority of supporters turn out to be against it." Former Fulham and Northern Ireland boss Lawrie Sanchez added that it might not be just supporters who were upset by the Premier League initiative. "Other national associations won't be happy about the Premier League coming into their game, taking sponsors, taking advertising, taking revenue from their game," he said. Nevertheless, there is likely to be a big scramble for the right to host the extra games. "It will be like cities bidding for the Olympic Games or the World Cup," explained Bose. The Premier League's proposal mirrors moves in other sports, notably American Football. Miami Dolphins and New York Giants met at Wembley in October, the first competitive NFL game outside the Americas. Source: BBC Sport I really don't like the idea of this at all... 39 league games? I hope this doesn't go ahead although i've the feeling it will.
February 7, 200817 yr Why add an extra game, when they could just get a club to agree to give up a home game to play abroad like the NFL did last year, and are doing again this year. No need to send all 20 clubs abroad every year, just send 1 or 2 fixtures at the most.
February 7, 200817 yr Why don't they just play the 40th game on the moon? it's such a stupid idea that only makes sense due to more money. It's unfair on fans that are season ticket holders to have a game they can't go to and some yank that's been a fan for 5 seconds to go to the game who doesn't even know the rules. The extra game could determine a season - imagine one title contender playing Derby in the extra game meaning they play them 3 times in one season whilst over title contendors play them only twice with their 39th game being against someone much harder. It makes no sense!!
February 7, 200817 yr Author Why don't they just play the 40th game on the moon? it's such a stupid idea that only makes sense due to more money. It's unfair on fans that are season ticket holders to have a game they can't go to and some yank that's been a fan for 5 seconds to go to the game who doesn't even know the rules. The extra game could determine a season - imagine one title contender playing Derby in the extra game meaning they play them 3 times in one season whilst over title contendors play them only twice with their 39th game being against someone much harder. It makes no sense!! I agree. It's down right stupid. David Gold has said it's a good idea, well yes, it would be if you'd be making lots and lots of money. It's unfair on the players and on the teams. This top 5 seeding for the Premier League clubs thing is stupid too. If they're gonna play Premier League games abroad then they should do it fairly. If the Premier League go ahead with this then they'll be f***ing up the Premier League well and truly.
February 7, 200817 yr This is so bizarre, I really don't see the point in it. I am firmly opposed to this idea. -_-
February 7, 200817 yr If this happens i'm threw with top flight football for good, shall watch my local non league team or just give up on the game for good as will alot of fans. <_<
February 7, 200817 yr If this happens i'm threw with top flight football for good, shall watch my local non league team or just give up on the game for good as will alot of fans. <_< Good. Non-League Football is great. This idea won't take off, mainly because 20 teams going to China (basicially thats where the demand is) won't work. It'll be more likely the Premier League will send 2 teams out to Asia to play a competitive game. And probably another two to America. The fans won't be able to do anything anyway, you can all boycott your premier league games, but if you support one of the "big 4" then you'll always get some tourist to fill up your seat with plenty of disposable income. Real fans aren't appreciated anymore, especially in the Premiership. And unfortunatly it's just a fact they've got to live with. FC United of Manchester have the right idea...
February 7, 200817 yr This idea makes Sepp Blatter's ideas of bigger goals and no draws seem brilliant. It's just an excuse for rich, greedy bast*rds to become richer, greedy bast*rds! If it ever happens I will become glad I support a team outside the Premier League.
February 7, 200817 yr Surely this is an April 1st story that has broken out early. Beyond selfish & beyond stupid. A disgraceful idea by greedy money grabbing Premiership clubs.
February 7, 200817 yr Ridiculous. In a League were people seem to be extremely focused on homegrown talent and returning the League to one of predominantly British nationality I don't see how playing games overseas can be seen as anything other than one big contradiction. Oh and obvisouly I disagree with the moneymakers behind this whole scheme but that's been covered in this topic already..
February 8, 200817 yr Don't think this is a good idea imo, however money talks. I can see loads of overseas fans turning up to see Man U, Liverpool, Chelsea & Arsenal, but can you honestly see Fulham v Reading in Shanghai selling tickets :lol: nah me neither.
February 8, 200817 yr the countries would bid for the matches they want, at the end of the season before. And will the teams that come up from the Championship be placed as 18th - 20th. I still say they should only have ONE fixture abroad, that a club has agreed to sacrifice a home game for. The Miami Dolphins fans sacrificed one for the NFL ;)
February 8, 200817 yr Author the countries would bid for the matches they want, at the end of the season before. And will the teams that come up from the Championship be placed as 18th - 20th. I still say they should only have ONE fixture abroad, that a club has agreed to sacrifice a home game for. The Miami Dolphins fans sacrificed one for the NFL ;) I just don't think it should happen at all. There's been outcry so far, and rightly so. IF this goes ahead and it's successful who's to say more people will want to games abroad? And this will allow all the Premier League and people involved in the clubs to become filthy rich (and the gap between the riches in the Premier League and all all the other leagues will strengthen). It's just a terrible idea full stop.
February 8, 200817 yr And, whilst the rich teams are getting richer, the poor ones will be made even poorer. Such as League 1's Bournemouth, who are the latest team to go into administration. Mind you, the Premier League probably don't think that there's football in England outside the Premier League. (And my friend Jo, who's never missed a Man City home game since she was 11 - she's now 27 - has said that she would refuse to go to her team's overseas game, even if they were the home team.) Edited February 8, 200817 yr by DitzyNizzy
February 9, 200817 yr Bizarre or not this seems most likely to happen in some way. Why is everyone so against it? If say Bolton Vs Man Utd takes place in New York instead of playing at Bolton to garner sponsorship $$$ much of which would go to the home team for missing it's home advantage, then I think you have a win-win situation?
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