European Super League?

[upthemaggies]

Not how I read it.

From Sky Sports:

'They added that the European Premier League was likely to feature either 16 or 18 teams - meaning a likely minimum of 30 matches for each club, based on a format of round-robin home and away fixtures - although that is said to be among the details being finalised ahead of a formal announcement.'

How could they still play 38 Premiership games?

BBC says "Sources told the BBC that discussions are still at an early stage but the plan would involve replacing the Champions League with a new format."

Successful English sides would typically play 60-ish games a season in the current set up.

An 18 team Premier league would be 34 games, a 16 team ESL would be 30 games. Total 64.

[magpie_mania]

BBC says "Sources told the BBC that discussions are still at an early stage but the plan would involve replacing the Champions League with a new format."

Successful English sides would typically play 60-ish games a season in the current set up.

An 18 team Premier league would be 34 games, a 16 team ESL would be 30 games. Total 64.

'As part of the initial blueprint, founder clubs could not be relegated for 20 years, meaning that a maximum of six places would be available each season'.

That sounds really fair!

No incentive for them to play their strongest teams in the Premier League as they will concentrate on the ESL and they know they will be in it for the next 20 years. That will de-value the Premier League as winning it won't mean so much and there may even be a chance that if you win it, you won't get into the ESL. FA Cup will get even more devalued.

The TV money will all be aimed at the ESL, Premier League will get less and so the EFL will get less. Meanwhile the 'big 4, 5 or 6' go from strength to strength. Transfer fees will continue to escalate, 'lesser' teams won't have a chance of getting the top players.

34 games in the Prem, 30 games (or 34) in the ESL + play off games + FA Cup games (unless of course they pull out of these?) will equal around 70 games +

When will they play international games?

[upthemaggies]

'As part of the initial blueprint, founder clubs could not be relegated for 20 years, meaning that a maximum of six places would be available each season'.

That sounds really fair!

No incentive for them to play their strongest teams in the Premier League as they will concentrate on the ESL and they know they will be in it for the next 20 years. That will de-value the Premier League as winning it won't mean so much and there may even be a chance that if you win it, you won't get into the ESL. FA Cup will get even more devalued.

The TV money will all be aimed at the ESL, Premier League will get less and so the EFL will get less. Meanwhile the 'big 4, 5 or 6' go from strength to strength. Transfer fees will continue to escalate, 'lesser' teams won't have a chance of getting the top players.

34 games in the Prem, 30 games (or 34) in the ESL + play off games + FA Cup games (unless of course they pull out of these?) will equal around 70 games +

When will they play international games?

Probably U23s for the FA Cup. But whilst Real Madrid, PSG and maybe a few others might be serious about it, I suspect the ESL idea is going to be used as a bargaining tool.