Would a more democratic Super League be acceptable to Arsenal fans? | OneFootball

A new version of the Super League is being proposed by Dan Smith

There are whispers circulating that plans for the Super League are not over.

That’s what Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus are hoping, with Mr Perez maintaining that the original founding members have a legal obligation to adhere to the original contract they signed.

Napoli’s Aurelio De Laurentiis has suggested a few tweaks will make the tournament acceptable. The Italian’s are not even one of the 12 participants of the scheme, so their president is trying to invite himself to the party.

His proposal is to get rid of the closed shop idea. Sides can be relegated, and anyone can qualify to take part, based on where they finish in their domestic table.

From a sporting principle, which makes sense, there should be a consequence if you win or lose.

Mr Laurentiis – a Belgian Film Producer – has been doing his research and believes his version of the competition could be worth approx. 8-10 billion toward the European Game.

He claims numbers show that interest in Football has stagnated between those aged 8-25 and that to protect the future of the sport UEFA’S current model is not sustainable.

His key points are that there is an over exposure towards Football. He wants less games but matches with a higher quality. This is why if he had his way domestic Leagues would be reduced. It’s ironic that the 72-year-old speaks about protecting the industry yet in the next sentence wants to destroy the pyramid system that exists.

It’s okay for his club who traditionally challenge to be in the top 4 of Serie A but what happens to the smaller clubs in the division?

Any owner who deep down wants to launch a new SL will have to compromise their stand on relegation/promotion.

For many, including the Kroenke Family, this was the main selling point in the first place. The idea that you would be handed 300 million for just participating, even if you finished last, suits their portfolio.

That’s not a criticism. They are Americans who logically have been brought up on the NBA, NHL, etc making money on the brand, not any incentive of where you finish.

Why Arsenal essentially would have died in a Super League is that there is zero ambition to try and win the thing and zero consequence if we lost every week. Therefore, there would be zero incentive to improve the squad.

If that affected attendances, you would be compensated by the 300 million participation payment and no doubt some (eventually all) ‘home’ fixtures would be abroad.

I truly believe our business model was based on this break away league happening. If you’re mid-table in the Prem, it’s just as well to be uncompetitive elsewhere and make more money.

Taking part in a set up where you can be relegated (meaning you would have to invest to keep your squad strong) might not be viewed as enough reason for Stan Kroenke to alienate his customers.

I think the majority of the English clubs feel the same way. Unlike the likes of Spain, TV contracts have ensured that the ‘big six’ could still spend big this transfer window, while the likes of Barcelona and Inter Milan have taken a financial hit.

In any business the priority is to make money, yet the English sides will only make a U-turn on the apology they made to their fans if it’s too good to turn down.

Looking at where the money is right now, the SL need the English clubs more than the other way round.

Why do you think Mr Laurentiis is now getting involved in an idea that wasn’t even his? Because due to Covid he’s worried about the financial future so would like a nice piece of a pie worth 300 million a year.

To safeguard their futures, I can see many chairmen jumping on the train if the SL is an open shop. You can understand that’s an answer to their money troubles.

For those in the English top flight, the juice might not be worth the squeeze…

Especially considering in April it reached the point where Prince William and the government were prepared to step in to ‘protect the national game.’

If it was Mr Laurentiis’ version, would you be more open to Arsenal joining the Super League?

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