European Super League

[Markeh]

I think all the "this is the death of football" posts are very naïve

It may the the death of the traditional model of football as we have all grown up on it - obviously, if it happens, it is certainly that - but expecting all fans to suddenly stop supporting their teams just because they've been part of this is foolish, IMHO. This move isn't geared to impress us, the "legacy" fans, who want to win the league first and foremost and see Europe as a wonderful distraction beyond that. It's for the ever-expanding global fanbase in markets like Asia and Africa that only know about a dozen clubs worldwide, and DO want to see them play each other, whenever possible.

For any boycott that we make may, they will pay twice the current ticket prices or subscription fees to watch us take on Barca then AC Milan then Real then the scum then Juventus, etc... Cunts though they are, the wankers who have made this decision are not stupid - They've not done this without having the numbers to show them that it will work. They don't care about us, or the history of any of the leagues that their clubs may soon leave behind, but they know this WILL be adopted by the majority of the fanbase out there.

Also, people slagging off the NFL over here, due to lack of relegation / promotion, etc... That's a fair point, but the league is a money-making machine, and there is constant (and year round) excitement over here for 'football'. Again, those pretending that such a model couldn't work in Europe are vastly underestimating the world's unquenchable thirst for top-class football.

We may want to see the league that we grew up, week in, week out, and we may enjoy watching Villa play Fulham, because it will somehow affect Liverpool and our chances at the top four, etc... but we are not who this is designed to impress.

This absolutely CAN work, and thrive, unless the players themselves boycott it. That, for me, is the key here.

Yea they haven’t made a mistake here, it has all been well considered. They are expecting the ‘legacy’ fans to protest this.

Hopefully this prompts some sort of real football movement that shuns over monetisation of football and prioritises the sporting side of it.

 

[dantes]

I think all the "this is the death of football" posts are very naïve

It may the the death of the traditional model of football as we have all grown up on it - obviously, if it happens, it is certainly that - but expecting all fans to suddenly stop supporting their teams just because they've been part of this is foolish, IMHO. This move isn't geared to impress us, the "legacy" fans, who want to win the league first and foremost and see Europe as a wonderful distraction beyond that. It's for the ever-expanding global fanbase in markets like Asia and Africa that only know about a dozen clubs worldwide, and DO want to see them play each other, whenever possible.

For any boycott that we make may, they will pay twice the current ticket prices or subscription fees to watch us take on Barca then AC Milan then Real then the scum then Juventus, etc... Cunts though they are, the wankers who have made this decision are not stupid - They've not done this without having the numbers to show them that it will work. They don't care about us, or the history of any of the leagues that their clubs may soon leave behind, but they know this WILL be adopted by the majority of the fanbase out there.

Also, people slagging off the NFL over here, due to lack of relegation / promotion, etc... That's a fair point, but the league is a money-making machine, and there is constant (and year round) excitement over here for 'football'. Again, those pretending that such a model couldn't work in Europe are vastly underestimating the world's unquenchable thirst for top-class football.

We may want to see the league that we grew up, week in, week out, and we may enjoy watching Villa play Fulham, because it will somehow affect Liverpool and our chances at the top four, etc... but we are not who this is designed to impress.

This absolutely CAN work, and thrive, unless the players themselves boycott it. That, for me, is the key here.

This is the same attitude that drives hollywood to make movies which cater to chinese fans. The problem is that the fact that they're chinese doesn't make them deaf dumb and blind. You feed them manufactured over-produced bullshit, and the result is you're going broke every time. In fact, they're far more picky than we are in their spending habits. They will smell the fake bullshit of this league a mile away, and will have zero hesitation in switching over to the UFC or the NFL that are both far superior products.

 

[Farkmaster]

ou feed them manufactured over-produced bullshit, and the result is you're going broke every time.

[xtable=skin1|456x@]
{tbody}
{tr}
{th=16x@}6{/th}
{td=220x@}Avengers: Endgame{/td}
{td=right|83x@}

4.25038 billion​

{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{th=16x@}15{/th}
{td=220x@}The Fate of the Furious{/td}
{td=right|83x@}

2.67096 billion​

{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{th=16x@}18{/th}
{td=220x@}Furious 7{/td}
{td=right|83x@}

2.42659 billion​

{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{th=16x@}19{/th}
{td=220x@}Avengers: Infinity War{/td}
{td=right|83x@}

2.39054 billion​

{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{th=16x@}23{/th}
{td=220x@}Aquaman{/td}
{td=right|83x@}

2.01321 billion​

{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{th=16x@}24{/th}
{td=220x@}Transformers: Age of Extinction{/td}
{td=right|83x@}

1.97752 billion​

{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{th=16x@}26{/th}
{td=220x@}Venom{/td}
{td=right|83x@}

1.87068 billion​

{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{th=16x@}30{/th}
{td=220x@}Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom{/td}
{td=right|83x@}

1.69588 billion​

{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{th=16x@}32{/th}
{td=220x@}Avatar{/td}
{td=right|83x@}

1.67886 billion​

{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{th=16x@}37{/th}
{td=220x@}Transformers: The Last Knight{/td}
{td=right|83x@}

1.55124 billion​

{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{th=16x@}38{/th}
{td=220x@}Zootopia{/td}
{td=right|83x@}

1.53036 billion​

{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{th=16x@}39{/th}
{td=220x@}Warcraft{/td}
{td=right|83x@}

1.47230 billion​

{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{th=16x@}40{/th}
{td=220x@}Avengers: Age of Ultron{/td}
{td=right|83x@}

1.46439 billion​

{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{th=16x@}42{/th}
{td=220x@}Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw{/td}
{td=right|83x@}

1.43464 billion​

{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{th=16x@}45{/th}
{td=220x@}Jurassic World{/td}
{td=right|83x@}

1.42073 billion​

{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{th=16x@}46{/th}
{td=220x@}Spider-Man: Far From Home{/td}
{td=right|83x@}

1.41774 billion​

{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{th=16x@}47{/th}
{td=220x@}Ready Player One{/td}
{td=right|83x@}

1.39666 billion​

{/td}
{/tr}
{/tbody}
[/xtable]

 

[Whaddapie]

This is the same attitude that drives hollywood to make movies which cater to chinese fans. The problem is that the fact that they're chinese doesn't make them deaf dumb and blind. You feed them manufactured over-produced bullshit, and the result is you're going broke every time. In fact, they're far more picky than we are in their spending habits. They will smell the fake bullshit of this league a mile away, and will have zero hesitation in switching over to the UFC or the NFL that are both far superior products.

You are aware that there's about to be ANOTHER Fast And Furious movie released, right..?

 

[Brizzle]

I think all the "this is the death of football" posts are very naïve

It may the the death of the traditional model of football as we have all grown up on it - obviously, if it happens, it is certainly that - but expecting all fans to suddenly stop supporting their teams just because they've been part of this is foolish, IMHO. This move isn't geared to impress us, the "legacy" fans, who want to win the league first and foremost and see Europe as a wonderful distraction beyond that. It's for the ever-expanding global fanbase in markets like Asia and Africa that only know about a dozen clubs worldwide, and DO want to see them play each other, whenever possible.

For any boycott that we make may, they will pay twice the current ticket prices or subscription fees to watch us take on Barca then AC Milan then Real then the scum then Juventus, etc... Cunts though they are, the wankers who have made this decision are not stupid - They've not done this without having the numbers to show them that it will work. They don't care about us, or the history of any of the leagues that their clubs may soon leave behind, but they know this WILL be adopted by the majority of the fanbase out there.

Also, people slagging off the NFL over here, due to lack of relegation / promotion, etc... That's a fair point, but the league is a money-making machine, and there is constant (and year round) excitement over here for 'football'. Again, those pretending that such a model couldn't work in Europe are vastly underestimating the world's unquenchable thirst for top-class football.

We may want to see the league that we grew up, week in, week out, and we may enjoy watching Villa play Fulham, because it will somehow affect Liverpool and our chances at the top four, etc... but we are not who this is designed to impress.

This absolutely CAN work, and thrive, unless the players themselves boycott it. That, for me, is the key here.

The most difficult thing here for me is the huge detrimental effect it has on the other hundreds of teams in England (and the other country's own home leagues). We are making a move that selfishly benefits us but at significant cost to all others in the football pyramid.

 

[dantes]

[xtable=skin1|456x@]
{tbody}
{tr}
{th=16x@}6{/th}
{td=220x@}Avengers: Endgame{/td}
{td=right|83x@}

4.25038 billion​

{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{th=16x@}15{/th}
{td=220x@}The Fate of the Furious{/td}
{td=right|83x@}

2.67096 billion​

{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{th=16x@}18{/th}
{td=220x@}Furious 7{/td}
{td=right|83x@}

2.42659 billion​

{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{th=16x@}19{/th}
{td=220x@}Avengers: Infinity War{/td}
{td=right|83x@}

2.39054 billion​

{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{th=16x@}23{/th}
{td=220x@}Aquaman{/td}
{td=right|83x@}

2.01321 billion​

{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{th=16x@}24{/th}
{td=220x@}Transformers: Age of Extinction{/td}
{td=right|83x@}

1.97752 billion​

{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{th=16x@}26{/th}
{td=220x@}Venom{/td}
{td=right|83x@}

1.87068 billion​

{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{th=16x@}30{/th}
{td=220x@}Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom{/td}
{td=right|83x@}

1.69588 billion​

{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{th=16x@}32{/th}
{td=220x@}Avatar{/td}
{td=right|83x@}

1.67886 billion​

{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{th=16x@}37{/th}
{td=220x@}Transformers: The Last Knight{/td}
{td=right|83x@}

1.55124 billion​

{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{th=16x@}38{/th}
{td=220x@}Zootopia{/td}
{td=right|83x@}

1.53036 billion​

{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{th=16x@}39{/th}
{td=220x@}Warcraft{/td}
{td=right|83x@}

1.47230 billion​

{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{th=16x@}40{/th}
{td=220x@}Avengers: Age of Ultron{/td}
{td=right|83x@}

1.46439 billion​

{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{th=16x@}42{/th}
{td=220x@}Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw{/td}
{td=right|83x@}

1.43464 billion​

{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{th=16x@}45{/th}
{td=220x@}Jurassic World{/td}
{td=right|83x@}

1.42073 billion​

{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{th=16x@}46{/th}
{td=220x@}Spider-Man: Far From Home{/td}
{td=right|83x@}

1.41774 billion​

{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{th=16x@}47{/th}
{td=220x@}Ready Player One{/td}
{td=right|83x@}

1.39666 billion​

{/td}
{/tr}
{/tbody}
[/xtable]

[xtable]
{tbody}
{tr}
{th}Year{/th}
{th}Tickets Sold{/th}
{th}Total Box Office{/th}
{th}Total Inflation
Adjusted Box Office{/th}
{th}Average
Ticket Price{/th}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}2021{/td}
{td}140,998,809{/td}
{td}$1,291,549,091{/td}
{td}$1,291,549,091{/td}
{td}$9.16{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}2020{/td}
{td}223,869,063{/td}
{td}$2,050,642,380{/td}
{td}$2,050,642,380{/td}
{td}$9.16{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}2019{/td}
{td}1,228,763,382{/td}
{td}$11,255,475,182{/td}
{td}$11,255,475,289{/td}
{td}$9.16{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}2018{/td}
{td}1,311,323,188{/td}
{td}$11,946,156,764{/td}
{td}$12,011,720,422{/td}
{td}$9.11{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}2017{/td}
{td}1,225,639,761{/td}
{td}$10,993,991,460{/td}
{td}$11,226,860,216{/td}
{td}$8.97{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}2016{/td}
{td}1,301,658,904{/td}
{td}$11,259,352,764{/td}
{td}$11,923,195,562{/td}
{td}$8.65{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}2015{/td}
{td}1,323,267,005{/td}
{td}$11,155,143,861{/td}
{td}$12,121,125,772{/td}
{td}$8.43{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}2014{/td}
{td}1,257,400,618{/td}
{td}$10,272,966,196{/td}
{td}$11,517,789,658{/td}
{td}$8.17{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}2013{/td}
{td}1,339,168,926{/td}
{td}$10,887,446,341{/td}
{td}$12,266,787,382{/td}
{td}$8.13{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}2012{/td}
{td}1,380,916,164{/td}
{td}$10,992,095,616{/td}
{td}$12,649,192,060{/td}
{td}$7.96{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}2011{/td}
{td}1,283,035,324{/td}
{td}$10,174,472,549{/td}
{td}$11,752,603,585{/td}
{td}$7.93{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}2010{/td}
{td}1,328,549,023{/td}
{td}$10,482,254,025{/td}
{td}$12,169,509,052{/td}
{td}$7.89{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}2009{/td}
{td}1,418,567,388{/td}
{td}$10,639,257,284{/td}
{td}$12,994,051,137{/td}
{td}$7.50{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}2008{/td}
{td}1,358,041,408{/td}
{td}$9,750,739,371{/td}
{td}$12,439,659,288{/td}
{td}$7.18{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}2007{/td}
{td}1,420,036,680{/td}
{td}$9,769,854,914{/td}
{td}$13,007,535,993{/td}
{td}$6.88{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}2006{/td}
{td}1,398,738,283{/td}
{td}$9,161,738,221{/td}
{td}$12,812,442,671{/td}
{td}$6.55{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}2005{/td}
{td}1,372,980,280{/td}
{td}$8,800,805,718{/td}
{td}$12,576,499,367{/td}
{td}$6.41{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}2004{/td}
{td}1,495,647,988{/td}
{td}$9,287,975,958{/td}
{td}$13,700,135,563{/td}
{td}$6.21{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}2003{/td}
{td}1,524,585,021{/td}
{td}$9,193,249,557{/td}
{td}$13,965,198,787{/td}
{td}$6.03{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}2002{/td}
{td}1,575,756,527{/td}
{td}$9,155,147,215{/td}
{td}$14,433,929,789{/td}
{td}$5.81{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}2001{/td}
{td}1,465,874,205{/td}
{td}$8,296,849,636{/td}
{td}$13,427,407,722{/td}
{td}$5.66{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}2000{/td}
{td}1,397,460,079{/td}
{td}$7,532,311,479{/td}
{td}$12,800,734,319{/td}
{td}$5.39{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}1999{/td}
{td}1,444,664,086{/td}
{td}$7,338,894,852{/td}
{td}$13,233,123,027{/td}
{td}$5.08{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}1998{/td}
{td}1,443,827,003{/td}
{td}$6,771,549,637{/td}
{td}$13,225,455,352{/td}
{td}$4.69{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}1997{/td}
{td}1,385,218,935{/td}
{td}$6,358,155,799{/td}
{td}$12,688,605,454{/td}
{td}$4.59{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}1996{/td}
{td}1,305,216,770{/td}
{td}$5,769,058,904{/td}
{td}$11,955,740,509{/td}
{td}$4.42{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}1995{/td}
{td}1,221,696,643{/td}
{td}$5,314,381,090{/td}
{td}$11,190,741,247{/td}
{td}$4.35{/td}
{/tr}
{/tbody}
[/xtable]

2002 was a decent year, if memory serves that was the height of lord of the rings. After that, your local natwest savings account would have returned you more bang for your buck.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

Bruno lays the marker ...

 

[Whaddapie]

The most difficult thing here for me is the huge detrimental effect it has on the other hundreds of teams in England (and the other country's own home leagues). We are making a move that selfishly benefits us but at significant cost to all others in the football pyramid.

Agreed. But they don't care about that.

Also, they've been very clever in how they've presented it, I think... This new league is to replace the Champions League, and NOT each domestic league. They've all said that they want to do this AS WELL as compete in theie existing league. They're gonna make each domestic league the bad guy, if they end up being disqualified from their respective leagues.

Fake as it will be, if this happens, they can say "We wanted to stay, to help out, but THEY threw us out...". And they will.

 

[The Nomad]

Ceferin should resign along with Infantino

Fuck their empty corrupt laden words.

 

[Whaddapie]

This is also key...

FIFA can say that they're gonna ban all 'Big 12' players from their national teams, but who will sponsor a World Cup that is basically fielding 2nd and 3rd choice players? Again, I fear that money will talk and principals will go quietly into the night.

 

[StevieM]

I think all the "this is the death of football" posts are very naïve

It may the the death of the traditional model of football as we have all grown up on it - obviously, if it happens, it is certainly that - but expecting all fans to suddenly stop supporting their teams just because they've been part of this is foolish, IMHO. This move isn't geared to impress us, the "legacy" fans, who want to win the league first and foremost and see Europe as a wonderful distraction beyond that. It's for the ever-expanding global fanbase in markets like Asia and Africa that only know about a dozen clubs worldwide, and DO want to see them play each other, whenever possible.

For any boycott that we make may, they will pay twice the current ticket prices or subscription fees to watch us take on Barca then AC Milan then Real then the scum then Juventus, etc... Cunts though they are, the wankers who have made this decision are not stupid - They've not done this without having the numbers to show them that it will work. They don't care about us, or the history of any of the leagues that their clubs may soon leave behind, but they know this WILL be adopted by the majority of the fanbase out there.

Also, people slagging off the NFL over here, due to lack of relegation / promotion, etc... That's a fair point, but the league is a money-making machine, and there is constant (and year round) excitement over here for 'football'. Again, those pretending that such a model couldn't work in Europe are vastly underestimating the world's unquenchable thirst for top-class football.

We may want to see the league that we grew up, week in, week out, and we may enjoy watching Villa play Fulham, because it will somehow affect Liverpool and our chances at the top four, etc... but we are not who this is designed to impress.

This absolutely CAN work, and thrive, unless the players themselves boycott it. That, for me, is the key here.

There’s no danger if players boycotting it - they’ll go where the £££’s & €€€’a are.

You’re absolutely right though, the model could work.

It also opens the door to another domestic breakaway if the Premier League don’t play ball - as if the broadcasters would accept a Premier League on the same terms without the big 6 - same for the Champions League for that matter.

That’s the thing the top 6 clubs couldn’t get with their aborted attempt at Premier Keague change - they needed more of a consensus and they need access to the Champions League - this by-passes both.

However - it won’t work, imho, because the breakaway teams would have to agree to equalise their spending power - which they won’t.

 

[Gerry_A_Trick]

Is it darts that has two championships? All the best players will follow the money, and once a few do, the rest will follow.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

 

[Holle]

Fuck them all. Uefa, Fifa, Fa, everybody.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

IAlso, people slagging off the NFL over here, due to lack of relegation / promotion, etc... That's a fair point, but the league is a money-making machine, and there is constant (and year round) excitement over here for 'football'. Again, those pretending that such a model couldn't work in Europe are vastly underestimating the world's unquenchable thirst for top-class football.

I'm not slagging off - but that model works because of a) it's one country b) it's tremendously profitable c) the owners don't have to invest in youth set ups etc due to draft and d) it's marketed brilliantly.

a) problematic for a 'super league' which ensures football stays alive for those not in it.
b) shouldn't be an issue
c) what happens with academies etc? do they shut down due to the money that will leave regular football for the SL?
d) shouldn't be an issue but the damage done currently may make it bloody hard.

 

[Beamrider]

ESLexit means ESLexit.

Can we not call it "FOOXIT", because it does. It really Fooxit all up.

 

[StevieM]

[xtable=skin1]
{tbody}
{tr}
{th}Year{/th}
{th}Tickets Sold{/th}
{th}Total Box Office{/th}
{th}Total Inflation
Adjusted Box Office{/th}
{th}Average
Ticket Price{/th}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}2021{/td}
{td}140,998,809{/td}
{td}$1,291,549,091{/td}
{td}$1,291,549,091{/td}
{td}$9.16{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}2020{/td}
{td}223,869,063{/td}
{td}$2,050,642,380{/td}
{td}$2,050,642,380{/td}
{td}$9.16{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}2019{/td}
{td}1,228,763,382{/td}
{td}$11,255,475,182{/td}
{td}$11,255,475,289{/td}
{td}$9.16{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}2018{/td}
{td}1,311,323,188{/td}
{td}$11,946,156,764{/td}
{td}$12,011,720,422{/td}
{td}$9.11{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}2017{/td}
{td}1,225,639,761{/td}
{td}$10,993,991,460{/td}
{td}$11,226,860,216{/td}
{td}$8.97{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}2016{/td}
{td}1,301,658,904{/td}
{td}$11,259,352,764{/td}
{td}$11,923,195,562{/td}
{td}$8.65{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}2015{/td}
{td}1,323,267,005{/td}
{td}$11,155,143,861{/td}
{td}$12,121,125,772{/td}
{td}$8.43{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}2014{/td}
{td}1,257,400,618{/td}
{td}$10,272,966,196{/td}
{td}$11,517,789,658{/td}
{td}$8.17{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}2013{/td}
{td}1,339,168,926{/td}
{td}$10,887,446,341{/td}
{td}$12,266,787,382{/td}
{td}$8.13{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}2012{/td}
{td}1,380,916,164{/td}
{td}$10,992,095,616{/td}
{td}$12,649,192,060{/td}
{td}$7.96{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}2011{/td}
{td}1,283,035,324{/td}
{td}$10,174,472,549{/td}
{td}$11,752,603,585{/td}
{td}$7.93{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}2010{/td}
{td}1,328,549,023{/td}
{td}$10,482,254,025{/td}
{td}$12,169,509,052{/td}
{td}$7.89{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}2009{/td}
{td}1,418,567,388{/td}
{td}$10,639,257,284{/td}
{td}$12,994,051,137{/td}
{td}$7.50{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}2008{/td}
{td}1,358,041,408{/td}
{td}$9,750,739,371{/td}
{td}$12,439,659,288{/td}
{td}$7.18{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}2007{/td}
{td}1,420,036,680{/td}
{td}$9,769,854,914{/td}
{td}$13,007,535,993{/td}
{td}$6.88{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}2006{/td}
{td}1,398,738,283{/td}
{td}$9,161,738,221{/td}
{td}$12,812,442,671{/td}
{td}$6.55{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}2005{/td}
{td}1,372,980,280{/td}
{td}$8,800,805,718{/td}
{td}$12,576,499,367{/td}
{td}$6.41{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}2004{/td}
{td}1,495,647,988{/td}
{td}$9,287,975,958{/td}
{td}$13,700,135,563{/td}
{td}$6.21{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}2003{/td}
{td}1,524,585,021{/td}
{td}$9,193,249,557{/td}
{td}$13,965,198,787{/td}
{td}$6.03{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}2002{/td}
{td}1,575,756,527{/td}
{td}$9,155,147,215{/td}
{td}$14,433,929,789{/td}
{td}$5.81{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}2001{/td}
{td}1,465,874,205{/td}
{td}$8,296,849,636{/td}
{td}$13,427,407,722{/td}
{td}$5.66{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}2000{/td}
{td}1,397,460,079{/td}
{td}$7,532,311,479{/td}
{td}$12,800,734,319{/td}
{td}$5.39{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}1999{/td}
{td}1,444,664,086{/td}
{td}$7,338,894,852{/td}
{td}$13,233,123,027{/td}
{td}$5.08{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}1998{/td}
{td}1,443,827,003{/td}
{td}$6,771,549,637{/td}
{td}$13,225,455,352{/td}
{td}$4.69{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}1997{/td}
{td}1,385,218,935{/td}
{td}$6,358,155,799{/td}
{td}$12,688,605,454{/td}
{td}$4.59{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}1996{/td}
{td}1,305,216,770{/td}
{td}$5,769,058,904{/td}
{td}$11,955,740,509{/td}
{td}$4.42{/td}
{/tr}
{tr}
{td}1995{/td}
{td}1,221,696,643{/td}
{td}$5,314,381,090{/td}
{td}$11,190,741,247{/td}
{td}$4.35{/td}
{/tr}
{/tbody}
[/xtable]
2002 was a decent year, if memory serves that was the height of lord of the rings. After that, your local natwest savings account would have returned you more bang for your buck.

Yes Dantes and the top 5 was made up of Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets, Spider-Man, Attack of the Clones & Men in Black 2.

I yearn for the quality releases of 2002 - particularly Anakin’s dialogue.

 

[Whaddapie]

I'm not slagging off - but that model works because of a) it's one country b) it's tremendously profitable c) the owners don't have to invest in youth set ups etc due to draft and d) it's marketed brilliantly.

a) problematic for a 'super league' which ensures football stays alive for those not in it.
b) shouldn't be an issue
c) what happens with academies etc? do they shut down due to the money that will leave regular football for the SL?
d) shouldn't be an issue but the damage done currently may make it bloody hard.

I don't understand where you think the money is going, as it pertains to these teams, mate... They will continue to thrive, as the global fanbase for all of them will only continue to expand.

THESE teams will go from strength to strength, and if / when this becomes the new norm, the best players will STILL want to play for these behemoths.

 

[Hyena]

I think all the "this is the death of football" posts are very naïve

It may the the death of the traditional model of football as we have all grown up on it - obviously, if it happens, it is certainly that - but expecting all fans to suddenly stop supporting their teams just because they've been part of this is foolish, IMHO. This move isn't geared to impress us, the "legacy" fans, who want to win the league first and foremost and see Europe as a wonderful distraction beyond that. It's for the ever-expanding global fanbase in markets like Asia and Africa that only know about a dozen clubs worldwide, and DO want to see them play each other, whenever possible.

For any boycott that we make may, they will pay twice the current ticket prices or subscription fees to watch us take on Barca then AC Milan then Real then the scum then Juventus, etc... Cunts though they are, the wankers who have made this decision are not stupid - They've not done this without having the numbers to show them that it will work. They don't care about us, or the history of any of the leagues that their clubs may soon leave behind, but they know this WILL be adopted by the majority of the fanbase out there.

Also, people slagging off the NFL over here, due to lack of relegation / promotion, etc... That's a fair point, but the league is a money-making machine, and there is constant (and year round) excitement over here for 'football'. Again, those pretending that such a model couldn't work in Europe are vastly underestimating the world's unquenchable thirst for top-class football.

We may want to see the league that we grew up, week in, week out, and we may enjoy watching Villa play Fulham, because it will somehow affect Liverpool and our chances at the top four, etc... but we are not who this is designed to impress.

This absolutely CAN work, and thrive, unless the players themselves boycott it. That, for me, is the key here.

Thank you for acknowledging that we Asian and African fans know only about a dozen clubs worldwide even though every game of the Premier League, UCL and the Europa League is broadcast live here. Every week we tune at midnight in to watch Liverpool and Man Utd play nameless clubs whose players we don't recognise (they all wear claret and blue anyway), and occasionally a nice club from France, Nameistoolongpiakos from Greece, or the many clubs from Sparta.

Yes, that is why Liverpool had one of the world's largest fan base in Asia through the last three decades. We just wanted to watch the wondrous world class talents that were Danny Murphy, Stewart Downing, and Andy Carroll. We have never heard of Newcastle, Leeds, Aston Villa, Southampton, or Crystal Palace

 

[LeTallecWiz]

I don't understand where you think the money is going, as it pertains to these teams, mate... They will continue to thrive, as the global fanbase for all of them will only continue to expand.

THESE teams will go from strength to strength, and if / when this becomes the new norm, the best players will STILL want to play for these behemoths.

football isn't only about the 'big teams' - what about the smaller teams? what about championship etc etc? in EVERY country!!!
The NFL doesn't have that ... the model cannot work unless the plan is to kill off football bar ___ (however many teams they want to include in the league)

 

[LeTallecWiz]

Thank you for acknowledging that we Asian and African fans know only about a dozen clubs worldwide even though every game of the Premier League, UCL and the Europa League is broadcast live here. Every week we tune at midnight in to watch Liverpool and Man Utd play nameless clubs whose players we don't recognise (they all wear claret and blue anyway), and occasionally a nice club from France, Nameistoolongpiakos from Greece, or the many clubs from Sparta.

Yes, that is why Liverpool had one of the world's largest fan base in Asia through the last three decades. We just wanted to watch the wondrous world class talents that were Danny Murphy, Stewart Downing, and Andy Carroll. We have never heard of Newcastle, Leeds, Aston Villa, Southampton, or Crystal Palace

Where you from dude?
I always thought you were a Yank?

 

[dantes]

Yes Dantes and the top 5 was made up of Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets, Spider-Man, Attack of the Clones & Men in Black 2.

I yearn for the quality releases of 2002 - particularly Anakin’s dialogue.

A masterpiece compared to the his grandson's dialogue.

 

[Whaddapie]

Thank you for acknowledging that we Asian and African fans know only about a dozen clubs worldwide even though every game of the Premier League, UCL and the Europa League is broadcast live here. Every week we tune at midnight in to watch Liverpool and Man Utd play nameless clubs whose players we don't recognise (they all wear claret and blue anyway), and occasionally a nice club from France, Nameistoolongpiakos from Greece, or the many clubs from Sparta.

Yes, that is why Liverpool had one of the world's largest fan base in Asia through the last three decades. We just wanted to watch the wondrous world class talents that were Danny Murphy, Stewart Downing, and Andy Carroll. We have never heard of Newcastle, Leeds, Aston Villa, Southampton, or Crystal Palace

No offense intended, Hyena. Sincere apologies if I caused any...

Maybe I should have worded that part of my post thusly - Most new fans in such markets as Asia and Africa are predominately interested in the biggest clubs, and they will be less alienated by such a move, as they will get to see these bigger teams face off against each other week in, week out.

Of course you and other fans over there know of clubs like Southampton and Palace, but is it because you searched them out specifically, or because you like another, bigger team, and that team plays them every season? I'll wager that shirt sales, etc... will back up my assumptions here.

 

[tombrown]

Sky reporters quote "The good of the game is a secondary concern" with no comprehension of the irony therein.

 

[Hyena]

No offense intended, Hyena. Sincere apologies if I caused any...

Maybe I should have worded that part of my post thusly - Most new fans in such markets as Asia and Africa are predominately interested in the biggest clubs, and they will be less alienated by such a move, as they will get to see these bigger teams face off against each other week in, week out.

Of course you and other fans over there know of clubs like Southampton and Palace, but is it because you searched them out specifically, or because you like another, bigger team, and that team plays them every season? I'll wager that shirt sales, etc... will back up my assumptions here.

Haha no offence. I've just been cranky ever since this news broke.

 

[StevieM]

A masterpiece compared to the his grandson's dialogue.

I won’t be arguing against that one...

 

[darkstarexodus]

Agreed. But they don't care about that.

Also, they've been very clever in how they've presented it, I think... This new league is to replace the Champions League, and NOT each domestic league. They've all said that they want to do this AS WELL as compete in theie existing league. They're gonna make each domestic league the bad guy, if they end up being disqualified from their respective leagues.

Fake as it will be, if this happens, they can say "We wanted to stay, to help out, but THEY threw us out...". And they will.

It will completely destroy the domestic competitions if they do stay in as the financial discrepancies will become so unmanageable. Financial Fair Play will be easy to stay within when you are siphoning off so much money at the top.

 

[Whaddapie]

It will completely destroy the domestic competitions if they do stay in as the financial discrepancies will become so unmanageable. Financial Fair Play will be easy to stay within when you are siphoning off so much money at the top.

The cups, perhaps, but not the league, imo... If all the same clubs are still in it, why would it lose it's appeal to anybody except us "legacy" fans, appauled by this decision?

 

[Holle]

I blame Raheem Sterling.

 

[King Binny]