Pranav Nair
Liverpool and Manchester United owners to lead a European Club Association to get UEFA benefits
According to Football Insider columnist and finance guru Kieran Maguire, Manchester United and Liverpool look set to spearhead an initiative that could land them more money from UEFA.
This comes after it was revealed by the Financial Times (Subscription Required) that UEFA and the ECA were in advanced talks regarding a deal to share media and sponsorship rights.
The negotiations coincide with talks of a Champions League revamp which doomsayers claim is designed to cement wealth in the hands of Europe’s elite clubs.
It is believed that UEFA is handing over power in order to curry favour with the financially elite clubs who are keen to form a breakaway ‘European Super League.’
Maguire predicted that Liverpool owner John Henry and the Glazers would join forces to lead negotiations and secure their own interests. Such an arrangement is oddly reminiscent of what the duo did as part of Project Big Picture.
“What we’ve seen from John Henry and Joel Glazer just as they did when they were desperate to take over Premier League TV rights.”
An imminent restructure?
He believes negotiations could see UEFA sell the rights for two group stage games along with that of the knockout stages. This could be lucrative to clubs that command a huge fanbase.
“UEFA might sell the rights for two of the group games plus the round-of-16, semi-finals and final. Then the ECA might sell the rights for the other group games and quarter-finals or something like that.”
According to a recent report by The Athletic, UEFA is expected to approve a 36-team Champions League revamp soon. This will see clubs play 10 group stage games, generating greater matchday income and broadcaster revenues.
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Both United and Liverpool failed to have things their way as a part of Project Big Picture. Whether they will have better luck negotiating with UEFA remains to be seen.
