A new European Super League is set to be relaunched, following the failed attempt back in 2021, according to the latest reports.
It is said that the new Super League willbe rebranded as the UnityLeague with some big changes to the original proposal that lasted just a matter of hours. It is said that there would be a chance to watch the league for free with advertisements on a new ‘unified’ platform app.
It is also said that clubs would not be automatically guaranteed their place in the competitions - one of the major concerns from the original launch over three years ago.
It’s a development that Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham will be keeping a close eye on. But what will it mean for all three clubs? Our Business of Football Writer Dave Powell has explained the impact.
“For Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur there remains an inescapable truth when it comes to the latest proposal from A22 to give rise to a new European Super League.
“The Unify League will comprise of four divisions and would be entirely merit based, and that is something that has shown a willingness to listen to feedback when it comes to the original plans, which were first for 15 permanent members, then a revised attempt at a 64-team competition light on detail.
“But the major sticking point lies with the fact that the big six Premier League clubs, which are the teams that drive the revenues for both the domestic and international competitions and the reason broadcasters pay a premium, have already been scolded once for the ESL plot back in 2021, and every time the prospect has been raised at each turn from A22 the answer has been the same, despite what A22 Bernd Reichart may have claimed publicly over the past year.
“They would likely need the blessing of the governing bodies, having been sanctioned last time and warned over punishments were they to try the same thing again in the future. It seems unlikely that what A22 are offering, even if it does contain the powerhouse of Real Madrid and the waning force of Barcelona, will be enough for them to feel this was the time to get a stomach for the fight.
“Real Madrid and Barcelona’s motives are clear. They are the biggest fishes in La Liga, effectively great whites in a goldfish bowl when it comes to finances. But in order to stay ahead they need to generate more from European competition as they cannot glean more domestically.
“The Premier League teams can, and they know that at some stage an ESL proposal will arrive that is more palatable to football fans, and offers richer rewards, although that remains some way off.
“UEFA also bent some way with the revamped ‘Swiss Model’ to make the Champions League more lucrative and deliver more games. There has already been jeopardy in the competition through Manchester City and Real Madrid’s struggles to reach the latter stages, and that is good for the UEFA cause.
“The biggest clubs also want greater certainty over revenues. Central to A22’s plan is the creation of a streaming platform to show games for free with ads, and charge for games without ads. Funding that, and getting the required amount of big teams to sign up to make it compelling for subscribers, will be no small challenge, and one that will likely be too great.
“It’s hard to see the development on Tuesday changing much for UEFA or the prospects of England’s top clubs in European competition.”