The European Super League is set to be re-launched as the Unity League with some huge changes made to the initial format proposed in 2021 - according to reports from The Telegraph.
One of the biggest selling points are based on claims it will be free to watch via 'Unified' platform; an app with a similar model to Netflix. Viewers will be able to watch all games for free, but with a high level of advertisements. Alternatively, paying for a subscription would eliminate that.
Another huge change includes the fact that clubs would not be automatically guaranteed their place, which was one of the main concerns when plans were first announced three years ago. The organisers of the new format are Madrid-based company A22 and have close links to Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.
Permission will now be asked of UEFA to operate the competition, with the belief among those involved they cannot turn it down due to a ruling from the European courts in December 2023 which found the discretionary powers to block the establishment of alternative competitions, was inconsistent with EU competition law.
In terms of how the tournament would work, 96 clubs would be involved, with the eventual plan to filter it down to 32 teams that would be split across the Star League and Gold League and, yet again, into four separate groups of eight.
Every team would play the other seven sides in their respective group, home and away, to determine which two advance from all four into a quarter-final. A two-legged tie would kick off the knockout rounds before two single-game semi-finals are played at a neutral venue in the same week as the final.
Currently, only Barcelona and Real are backing the rebranded version, but that could change soon.
Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham were all involved in the initial announcement of the Super League before swiftly back-tracking due to major fan backlash.
John Hahn, co-founder of A22, has since been quoted as saying: "We have listened intently to a broad group of clubs, leagues and fans and with these changes believe we have a lot of support.
He went on: "We are not expecting the public support of clubs, at this time, logically that will come following the official recognition of the Unify League." He also added that the subscription would be 'meaningfully cheaper than it is [to consumers] today'.