Here’s what I don’t understand. I’ve just listened to Greg Dyke explaining why he thinks it’s just a negotiating ploy. I think he’s wrong, for all the very good reasons listed above.
So, we assume it’s done and dusted and starts in August. I know there are huge numbers of armchair fans out there, but would even the most avid home viewers want to shell out to watch a routine cycle of games against the same clubs, with no benefit (other than financial) in coming top or bottom of the SL? Where’s the interest in that? We’ve all spent our football supporting lives with the excitement of promotions, relegations, David vs Goliath cup games, managerial changes following success and failure; all life is there. I simply cannot see typical UK fans stumping up for such tepid fare.
These owners aren’t daft, so do they simply not care about UK fans, and are looking for big broadcasting deals in Asia, America and the Far East to more than compensate for lower home gates and associated revenues? This is the only way I can make sense of it, and if this is their strategy then let them bugger off.