Daniel Levy - Chairman

[Lilbaz]

According to Wiki (if correct) not strictly true about being created by clubs on the continent, Perez, Agnelli, Glazer , Henry and Kroenke were the behind the idea of the ESL .
Why would Spurs become irrelevant , two bigger clubs than Spurs i.e Bayern and PSG turned down the idea so they didn't think they would be irrelevent.
Also have to ask the question why were Spurs involved , if you go on domestic trophies won Villa are a bigger club than Spurs , that should raise a few eyebrows.

On the role of the regulator , they will have no power to alter the rules of the PL that is not their function, those rules are made by the PL clubs themselves and as we have seen they are not fit for purpose.

European Super League - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Spurs were in it because it's about viewing figures and money. We have more worldwide fans.
PSG didn't go into it because their ceo/qatar is basically running uefa. Byern because they are owned 51% by the fans.

 

[Lilbaz]

The Super League concept was a massive win for the clubs. The European Court of Justice ruled that FIFA and UEFA were acting illegally trying to block it. Their statement "The FIFA and UEFA rules making any new interclub football project subject to their approval, such as the Super League, and prohibiting players from playing in those competitions, are unlawful,”

So whilst the SL didn't happen, the ECJ verdict shut down all of UEFA's planned punishments and weakened their position in football. We know that these governance bodies have been stealing decision rights for decades. I had it from someone very informed that UEFA average salary is 150k euro's and that only 55% of the revenues from the monies earned by the UEFA comps finds its way back to the participating clubs. Why should any of the participating clubs be happy about that?

This was the real agenda why those clubs got together including our own. In my opinion, it was absolutely worth it just to put these 2 big organisations on the back foot for future engagements. Now we sit back and watch as FIFA try to get their hands on the UEFA revenues, and hence we saw the club world cup. There will be more to follow on these power plays.

My view on all of this is that all the PL clubs should own their own TV infrastructure. They should no longer have their company revenues managed by other entities like the PL. They should own their own rights to their own product. I have a feeling it will happen soon, like we see with the 2 Spanish giants. There is an inevitability about this power play between the clubs and the governing bodies.

The pl is owned and run by the clubs. Did you mean the cl?

 

[SirPercyHotspur]

The Super League concept was a massive win for the clubs. The European Court of Justice ruled that FIFA and UEFA were acting illegally trying to block it. Their statement "The FIFA and UEFA rules making any new interclub football project subject to their approval, such as the Super League, and prohibiting players from playing in those competitions, are unlawful,”

So whilst the SL didn't happen, the ECJ verdict shut down all of UEFA's planned punishments and weakened their position in football. We know that these governance bodies have been stealing decision rights for decades. I had it from someone very informed that UEFA average salary is 150k euro's and that only 55% of the revenues from the monies earned by the UEFA comps finds its way back to the participating clubs. Why should any of the participating clubs be happy about that?

This was the real agenda why those clubs got together including our own. In my opinion, it was absolutely worth it just to put these 2 big organisations on the back foot for future engagements. Now we sit back and watch as FIFA try to get their hands on the UEFA revenues, and hence we saw the club world cup. There will be more to follow on these power plays.

My view on all of this is that all the PL clubs should own their own TV infrastructure. They should no longer have their company revenues managed by other entities like the PL. They should own their own rights to their own product. I have a feeling it will happen soon, like we see with the 2 Spanish giants. There is an inevitability about this power play between the clubs and the governing bodies.

Here are UEFA's financials, all above aboard by the look of it, referees have to be paid and there are organisation costs and expenses.
When you consider that in one season of CL, EL & ECL there are now 531 matches played , four officials per match makes 2,124 travel arrangements , accommodation & wages to be paid and arranged , you can see that apart from other expenditure the expenses for a UEFA competition must be pretty high.

https://editorial.uefa.com/resources/0295-1cee154c3733-a7de3ba62d06-1000/uefa_financial_report_23-24_.pdf

The ECJ verdict won't apply to the legislation introduced by the Government that the football regulator will follow as the UK is not subject to verdicts by the court.
The super league was all about greed by the richer clubs , the 6 PL clubs who were part of it had zero regard for the other 14 clubs who make up the PL or the rest of English football.

The regulator has been given the task of preventing any disruption to the English football pyramid unless it has FA approval and as you can see from the white paper not PL approval.

Clubs will only be able to compete in competitions that are approved by the Regulator.
This will allow the Regulator to prevent English clubs from joining breakaway competitions that did not meet predetermined criteria, in consultation with the FA and fans. Crucially, this will safeguard against a future European Super League-style breakaway league.

Events at Morecambe and Sheffield just show how much a regulator is needed.

 

[Muttley]

The pl is owned and run by the clubs. Did you mean the cl?

I meant the PL. At the moment the PL negotiates the TV deals and then there is a system that distributes money to the clubs. I think there is 4 components from memory. One is fixed and everyone get that amount. The last one is prize money based on league finish. Clubs like ours are not allowed to screen our matches live through Spurs TV on a subscription basis. Also, there are still no 3pm Sat live screenings. Also, the PL sell the rights overseas and collect centrally the monies. There are probably more areas than I can think of.

So I can genuinely see this model shifting to more like the one that RM and Barca enjoy where they own their own infrastructure and TV rights for their games. I understand your point about the FA PL Ltd concept with 20 directors of the participating clubs. That model doesn't mean that clubs like Liverpool feel aggrieved that they are not seeing 100% of their potential revenues with only one single vote out of 20.

Technology is a wonderful thing and opens new doors. There is a massive gulf between what 1st place and 20th place earn in a season right now. It could be a massive gulf if the top clubs get their true global allocation of revenues if it moves to the other model.

 

[Lilbaz]

I meant the PL. At the moment the PL negotiates the TV deals and then there is a system that distributes money to the clubs. I think there is 4 components from memory. One is fixed and everyone get that amount. The last one is prize money based on league finish. Clubs like ours are not allowed to screen our matches live through Spurs TV on a subscription basis. Also, there are still no 3pm Sat live screenings. Also, the PL sell the rights overseas and collect centrally the monies. There are probably more areas than I can think of.

So I can genuinely see this model shifting to more like the one that RM and Barca enjoy where they own their own infrastructure and TV rights for their games. I understand your point about the FA PL Ltd concept with 20 directors of the participating clubs. That model doesn't mean that clubs like Liverpool feel aggrieved that they are not seeing 100% of their potential revenues with only one single vote out of 20.

Technology is a wonderful thing and opens new doors. There is a massive gulf between what 1st place and 20th place earn in a season right now. It could be a massive gulf if the top clubs get their true global allocation of revenues if it moves to the other model.

Barca and real don't have their own deals any more that changed years ago. La liga sells it's rights as a whole now and distributes to clubs.
They changed it to create a more level playing field and competitive league. We really don't want a competition where liverpool and man utd get 80% of the tv money. Even with state owned clubs it would be bad.

Barcelona and Real Madrid dealt a blow in new Spanish TV rights deal

A new Spanish law governing the sale of television rights to broadcast football matches and the distribution of the income, was approved by the government on Thursday

www.theguardian.com

 

[SpurMeUp]

Would have liked Neville to push him on why he didn’t want government intervention, he kept saying he doesn’t like it, but never explained why.

Decent piece overall though, nothing we don’t already know.

I can summarise: 1. A free market belief system 2. History of Governments faffing up most things with regulation 3. Keeping controls closer to home allowing football to govern football.

 

[SpurMeUp]

I would suggest this is Vanai’s good work. Could see a few media pieces since he has come in trying to control the narrative - rather than X etc which always has a negative bent to get hits.

It’s always great to hear from Levy. He is very human and ‘one of us’.

If I was to criticise Levy it is he has acted too much like a fan at times. For example not sticking with Nuno and cowering to fans, or just responding like them.

The interesting thing is Levy’s involvement with the footballing side. The dominant narrative is Levy shouldn’t stick his oars in on the football side, and he was quick (and clearly upset and exercised) that he respects the coaches wishes on players. He only gets involved to secure the players the coach wants. Which im sure is true and no doubt player cost is then something they all consider collectively too working to a budget. All cool.

For me what isn’t so good is actually how the CEO doesn’t have a deeper involvement in the footballing side! This is totally contrary to fans narrative. But think about it: fans are very happy with the commercial side of THFC and the stadium. Which is Levy’s domain. And less happy with the footballing side, where Levy is relatively hands off.

Think about that…

Then consider the MGW saga. Many fans were impressed with how Forests owner stepped in and fought to keep their player. Ironic. The very same fans in some
instances also clammer for Levy to stay out of the footballing side!!

My view is Levy needs to have more focus on the footballing side, not less!!! He needs to be as fanatical about the detail of the footballing side as he was over the stadium. That’s not doing the coaches job but being fully invested and fanatical about getting the playing side of Spurs success. As Forests owner shows. Move mountains and show immense dedication and determination on the footballing side.

 

[SirPercyHotspur]

Would have liked Neville to push him on why he didn’t want government intervention, he kept saying he doesn’t like it, but never explained why.

Decent piece overall though, nothing we don’t already know.

He did mutter something about Government never does any good , Neville was right to point out that the Royal Bank of Scotland was saved from going under by Government intervention. What Levy and the PL don't like is that the regulator will be funded by the clubs paying a fee to be licensed, the biggest bulk of which will come from the PL clubs.
PL are not keen on the regulator but Rick Parry and EFL are OK with it.

EFL Statement: Football Governance Act

The Official home of the English Football League

www.efl.com

Another bit of Government action that Levy must have missed.

Southeastern operator stripped of franchise after £25m 'serious breach'

The Department for Transport said its "operator of last resort" would take over from 17 October but assured passengers there would be no change to fares, tickets or services.

news.sky.com

 

[Lilbaz]

He did mutter something about Government never does any good , Neville was right to point out that the Royal Bank of Scotland was saved from going under by Government intervention. What Levy and the PL don't like is that the regulator will be funded by the clubs paying a fee to be licensed, the biggest bulk of which will come from the PL clubs.
PL are not keen on the regulator but Rick Parry and EFL are OK with it.

EFL Statement: Football Governance Act

The Official home of the English Football League

www.efl.com

Another bit of Government action that Levy must have missed.

Southeastern operator stripped of franchise after £25m 'serious breach'

The Department for Transport said its "operator of last resort" would take over from 17 October but assured passengers there would be no change to fares, tickets or services.

news.sky.com

They don't want it because one thing the regulator will bring in is more distribution of money down the pyramid. Which the pl and efl have been haggling over for years.
In my opinion that money should come partly from cl participation rather than all from prem tv deals. Would cut the gap of the richest clubs significantly.

 

[SirPercyHotspur]

They don't want it because one thing the regulator will bring in is more distribution of money down the pyramid. Which the pl and efl have been haggling over for years.
In my opinion that money should come partly from cl participation rather than all from prem tv deals. Would cut the gap of the richest clubs significantly.

6:20 into the interview Levy blames the EFL for not wanting to do a deal, he says the PL are ready to do a deal tomorrow, pretty obvious I would have thought that the PL not offering what the EFL think they should get and if they can't do a deal the regulator will eventually step in and decide the size of any deal . As you say regulator will probably favour the lower end of the pyramid. If it's like most other businesses costs of any deal will be passed on to the consumer in higher prices.