EPL: Clubs resist ‘rich six’ plan
September 28, 2017
The Premier League’s six richest clubs are facing push back on their efforts to get a greater share of income from the next multi-billion pound round of international TV deals.
In a plan – believed by the 14 others to be supported by Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur – the Premier League is proposing to end the system by which money from international TV rights sales is shared equally by all 20.
Richard Scudamore, the Premier League’s chairman, is reported to have presented a proposal to the other 14 clubs this week for 35 per cent of the next international TV money to be distributed according to “merit” – in other words, where clubs finish in the league.
Income from international TV rights 25 years ago was negligible, so the clubs agreed to share that money equally, while only a third of British TV income is divided equally, the other two-thirds shared according to where clubs finish in the league and how many times they are shown on television.
Now the Premier League’s popularity has made it prime content for pay-TV around the world, delivering approximately £3 billion (€3.4bn) to the 20 clubs in the 2016-19 round of deals.