Top clubs consider overseas games

from www.bbc.co.uk:

The English Premier League is considering the idea of staging some matches around the rest of the world.

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 several different venues, 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.

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said: "The 'international round' is an exciting and innovative proposal that needs careful consideration before being introduced.

"However, this concept recognises the truly global appeal of the Barclays Premier League whilst understanding that the traditions of the English game have always underpinned our success.

"We believe that an 'international round' of matches will enhance the strength of the Barclays Premier League as a competition; create extra interest in all 20 Premier League clubs at home and abroad; and allow increased investment in talent development and acquisition, facilities as well as our football development and community programmes."

The Football Association has given its provisional support to the plans.
"We understand the reasons for this proposals and the benefits it can bring to English football as a whole," said an FA source.

A final decision on the proposals will not be made until January 2009.

Should the plans get the go-ahead, the new round of games will take place in January 2011 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 Arsenal and Manchester United 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.
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."

There is also 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.

"The globalisation of sport is both an opportunity and a challenge; one that needs addressing in a responsible way," added Scudamore.

"We are a better competition for being a cosmopolitan league and have benefited from our increased international reach.

"Nonetheless, it is critical we retain our English character by improving our efforts to produce home-grown talent, deepening our commitment to community engagement and continuing our investment in the grass-roots."

The NFL played in England this year and it looks like the EPL see's the writing on the wall. Go global or lose fanbase.

I thinkn most of the managers and fans are against this idea it's messed up and football does not need it. I see what Mr F is saying about what the NFL did in London but the difference is that in the UK American football is not big wheras the Premier league are going to countries where football is popular and so are these teams, also there is no case at all for financial benefits the English clubs are some of the richest in the world they are guarntedd £30million eash a season from TV money alone.

Also I will bet if when this does go ahead and it will (we all know FIFA and UEFA are to scared to say no to the big nations) you will not see West Ham V Wigan played in Japan all you will see is games faeturing Man Utd, Chelsea, Aresenal and Liverpool I even bet that you will probably see these teams play each other.

Another thing of course somethuing that will be overlooked by FIFA is that there rules state that domestic games cannot leave the home country unless there is a good reason now I don't think the " we are greedy and want more money to kill off the other leagues in the world" is a good reason in fact it's a reason to stop this now.

There is another thing I just thought about, there may be a legal arguement about those that own season tickets and they club making the game abroad unavailable for those fan thus breaking the legal contract of guranteeing league games at the home stadium.

It also appears that Glasgow Rangers and Celtic have had talks about staging a game in either Los Angeles America, Melbourne Australia or Toronto Canada the only difference is that the game won't be a league game more of a friendly if there is such a thing as a friendly old firm game

Cup ties are one way for domestic sides to travel. Say its predetermined that a 5th round fixture is to be played in New York. There would be less animosity of the home fans, since there was a 50-50% chance on a home draw anyways

Yeah thats one way but then again you don't who will be going to NY say it was Man utd against a league 2 team that won't cause a big fuss in NY and makes the trip a waste of time.
I still remain convinced thet only teams who will profit from this are Man U, liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal the only way other players are going to see America, China etc is to go there on thier holidays

There's lots of stuff that would have to be worked out on that side of the pond to make it fair.

As far as progressing the sport on this side without taking money from MLS, I would be dead set against any matches taking place in MLS venues. There are lots of major venues lacking a professional team within 2 hours drive, they should be the only ones considered. Detroit, St Louis, Miami , Portland, and of course San Diego all spring to mind

Sepp Blatter was in London yesterday and I could be wrong but I think he said that if the premier league go ahead with this then FIFA will reject a 2018 world cup bid from England. Also what was Blatter doing talking to the Prime Minister should he not be talking to the FA or the UEFA and FIFA delegates in the UK?

What I heard yesterday was a quote attributed to Blatter stating '' it would hurt Englands chances for their 2018 bid.'' Again, fine with me. With the continental rotation out, maybe the USA will put in a serious bid.

Besides, with all the silly things attributed to Blatter I doubt anybody that matters really listens to a word he says

FIFA president Sepp Blatter said after the meeting: "This idea for the Premier League to play a 39th round outside the country does not work.

."They would be playing 12 hours away west and east and 24 hours difference in the south.





I laughed so hard I almost cried after reading this. 24 hour time difference, kool, we can watch tomorrows game live...... today! This may be the new high water mark for Blatter