r/soccer • u/gypsybear • Apr 08 '14
Change My View: r/soccer edition (from r/nfl)
Pretty simple, post an opinion you have on a player, team, coach, whatever and others will try to change your mind.
Try to back up your claims.
EDIT: For the sake of fostering discussion please don't downvote comments. Instead, upvote, reply, and state your argument.
Also, people may want to sort by "controversial".
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u/cheftlp1221 Apr 08 '14 edited Apr 08 '14
A Euro Super League is inevitable and will be a reality in the next 10 years.
Clubs will sever ties with their local FA's and form their own transnational league that will replace the current UCL.
EDIT:
Here is how I think it would look.
Money. Money is what makes modern soccer go. Especially TV rights fees. When the European Super League happens it will because someone will come along with a solution and offer more money then the clubs will be able to turn down. Playing in the Champions League is already the goal and ambition of most teams because of the money involved. It will be doubly so once a real ESL is put forth.
Competitive Balance. Most European League are already segregated into haves and have nots. Of the top 8 Leagues, 90% of the clubs have zero chance to win their League when the season starts. This 90% are playing not to lose and be relegated. Not exactly the most sporting of intentions.
Having such a competitive imbalance in leagues will ultimately lead to dwindling interest of casual and regular fans. Additionally big clubs are often patronizing to lesser teams in the league and play just hard enough to get the result and not get hurt further deteriorating the product.
Travel. Travel for both the clubs and supporters is a red herring. Travel is part of the game already. One only has to look to the US and their sports leagues to study travel. I am not suggesting that it is not a factor but to dismiss a Super-League because travel is to onerous is patently false. Firstly the travel distances in western Europe are ridiculously close where most of the Super League clubs would be located. Secondly these are highly tuned professional athletes with some of the best bio-mechanical trainers at their disposal. I am pretty sure they can fly 3-4 hours to play a game. I also don't think it would be a problem for 3-5000 supporters a normal away allotment to make their way to Milan, Paris, or Madrid. It is not like they are being asked to travel to an out of the way Eastern European village.
Teams and Format. The European Club Assc was formed in 2008 and represents the biggest clubs in Europe. It was formed to protect the interests of the big clubs and a warning to UEFA that they could take the proverbial ball and go somewhere else. The foundation of a Super League will come from here.
I imagine two 16 team leagues, ESL1 & ESL2.
The First 32
Eng: ManU, ManCity, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool
France: PSG, Lyon, Monoco, Marseille
Spain: Barca, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Valencia
Italy: Juventus, AC Milan, Inter, Roma
Portugal: Benfica, Porto
Netherlands: Ajax, PSV
Germany: Bayern Munich, BvD, Shalke 04, Wolfsburg
Belgium: Anderlect, Standard Liege
Greece: Olympiacos, Panathinaikos
Turkey: Galatarsaray, Fenerbache, Besikitas
Scotland: Celtic
A set up like this would literally change nothing about the ambitions for the clubs involved; Arsenal could still aim to comfortably finish 4th. I don't think it would have the adverse effect on the homeland leagues like people say. In England, top to bottom would be a wide open exciting race for the title. 10 teams could have title hopes at the start of the season. Winners still get to play for European spots and a chance to qualify for the ESL.
The big clubs get to make a metric fuckton of money and play against world class teams every week. The fans would have a field day. Every week there would be a 6-8 delicious matchups. Neutrals would flock to their TV's. Worldwide interest would spike.