The Premier League have announced the possibility of adding an extra game to the already brimming fixture list.This 39th match of the season would take place overseas in one of five locations around the world.
Cities from Asia, the Middle East and North America are expected to fight it out to host the matches.
A final decision will not be made until January 2009 and the games wouldn't slip into the campaign until January 2011, but the ball has definetly been set in motion.
Benefits
The obvious benefits are that it will globalise the league and undoubtedly bring huge revenue to the clubs and the League.
Many Premier League clubs already have affiliations with clubs overseas, especially in the US where academies and scouting missions have been set up.
The move shows clear echoes of the NFL's decision to host a game at Wembley, where the recently crowned Super Bowl winners The New York Giants beat the Miami Dolphins.
NHL and NBA games were also hosted in London last year.
The success of these games is hard to measure, especially in the long term. It is also hard to decide how to gauge this success.
Is success simply more money in the pockets of the owners of the clubs? If so then you have to question the integrity and value of such decisions.
Doubts
This new proposal is unlikely to bring anything extra to the Premier League, except money. Surely there is enough of that flying around already.
One fear that must be lurking in the back of some of the relegation perennials' minds is that they will draw Manchester United in China while one of their rivals will draw Fulham (or another crap team, sorry) and sneak three crucial points.
When the American-sports-wagon came to London last year I found it intriguing but not captivating.
American sport and culture is totally different to our own, and I like that uniqueness.
I guess that is what it comes down to, do you want to see a world where everything and everyone shares everything, and looks the same.
Personally I don't, but I can see the attraction, especially for those with dollars flashing in their eyes.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? LET ME KNOW.
3 comments:
Is football not a global sport (with the notable exception of North America)?
so why does the premier league neede to go abroad then? it's only going to line the pockets of already minted men, and its unlikely to give much back.
so why does the premier league neede to go abroad then? it's only going to line the pockets of already minted men, and its unlikely to give much back.
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