Premier League 39th game .. Good or Bad?
November 6th 2010 11:59
Link: twitter.com/mattsaltmer
Could this action be taken abroad?
A couple of years ago now, a concept was put forward by Richard Scudamore, the English Premier League Chief Executive, to add a 39th fixture to the regular league season. This game would be played abroad, generating more interest in the English league. It would also be an opportunity to make the most worldwide followed football league, to be brought closer to home for international fans. England's top clubs such as Manchester United and Liverpool, certainly seem to have a huge worldwide following, as shown by the numbers attending games when they go for pre-season tours. So, is this idea of the 39th game a good, or bad thing?
Well apparently, bad! Many supporters, Premier League managers and chairmen, immediately began lobbying against the proposal. FIFA were also not impressed by the concept. Given the amount of matches already played by some players in a season, most clubs felt this extra match would be an unnecessary burden. With the domestic season in England already consisting of the league itself, and two domestic cup competitions, teams playing in Europe can play upwards of 60 competitive matches per season. So it seemed the idea was dead.
New Liverpool Co-owner Tom Werner
However, the debate has been reopened in recent days, after a statement made by new Liverpool co-owner, Tom Werner. Werner, who's NESV company also own the NFL team Boston Red Sox, believes the 39th Premier League match abroad would be brilliant, 'friendlies are great, but why not actually have a match in the season. I think the Premier League is the greatest league in the world and its reach is global'.
The design has certainly worked in other sports. England has recently played host to American Football and NBA Basketball games, both franchises reaching out to its global fanbase. Wembley was sold out for the NFL meeting between San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos, so the concept seems to work. Closer to home, it is also something adopted in Rugby League, through the 'Magic Weekend'. Once per season, there is an extra game, all played on the same weekend, one after the other, in the same stadium. Each team play eachother twice a season, except everyone faces one other team a third time, on magic weekend.
While I risk seeming boring, I am personally on the fence. While I do feel the English Premier League is such a global phenomena that such an idea would work, I do have a feeling of if it isn't broken, don't fix it. I know that there are a lot of huge fans of certain Premier League teams all around the world, and perhaps it would also create confusion, trying to get certain teams to play in certain countries, in which they have a bigger fanbase. I do also appreciate however, what a fantastic experience it would be for International supporters of the game, to see their heroes in action, in a competitive Premier League fixture. I'm sure a lot of the people making the decisions at the Premier League will be arguing these points back and forth, and it will be interesting to see if this 39th game does come about.
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