The end of the EPL is nigh

[johntheclaret]

Seriously though, there is currently a case in the European courts that might change the face of the EPL. It concerns a pub landlady in Southampton who has taken sky to court. She has been screening EPL games via a Greek satellite channel which she subscribes to at a fraction of the cost sky charges.

Her argument is that sky have no right to stop her and at this time the courts agree.

Now sky shell out about £630m a year for the Uk rights and if she wins her case it will open the door for anyone who subscribes to a forieng sat channel.

I can't see sky continuing to pay the EPL so much if they don't exclusivity.

Maybe the days of £40m - £65m a year from TV rights is coming to an end

[Bully]

good luck to her i say. stupid amounts of money that fly around in this sport.

i love the sport to death but its just getting out of hand.

[Strawb]

Half her luck problem is the end is Nigh for soccer in General. With the stupid amounts of money being thrown around to buy, sell and use players is what is hurting the sport. When was the last time a EPL team fielded an all English line up? As much of a Bolton fan that I am, I get to the stage where I just look forward to seeing them win but hoping for a draw against the biggest clubs.

[johntheclaret]

How many clubs would survive if sky pulled the plug. I can think of Man City, Chelsea, and Blackpool, although the Tangerines will be playing Champioship football next season anyway

[Strawb]

Not many and that is the problem. Look at Europe in general and tell me how many clubs are in debt and owe big money to other clubs on players? Bolton is in debt by £93 Million. That is alot of coin for a small club.

[Bully]

like the commentators in the chelsea game last night - effen o coco (what ever his name is) with the rule coming in that clubs can only spend what they earn. He was agreeing with Arsene Wenger and he said it last night that there is so many flaws in the rule thats coming there no point in having it.

[Strawb]

I feel the FA should change the rule and go back to 3 imports per team. No more or less. That will help clubs build better players for England also make clubs more responsible in there actions.

[RoosterMarty]

The problem is, English players are so bloody expensive that of course clubs are going to buy elsewhere.

Besides, when I watch the EPL I want to see the best players available, I don't really care whether they are English or not.

[mickey]

The problem is, English players are so bloody expensive that of course clubs are going to buy elsewhere.

Besides, when I watch the EPL I want to see the most players available, I don't really care whether they are English or not.

Or could just start up a European Super League, 2 or 3 divisions and scrap the EPL all together

[Bully]

then teams would miss out on the derby games against their rivals in england. European combined league wouldnt work it would turn me off football i think

[smithy]

The problem is, English players are so bloody expensive that of course clubs are going to buy elsewhere.

Besides, when I watch the EPL I want to see the best players available, I don't really care whether they are English or not.

I can guarantee you that when Platini was playing in Italy he would've been quite happy with the world of football and wages high profile players like himself were getting in Serie A.

In the mid - late 80's, Italian clubs were always breaking transfer records and spending beyond their means.
This rule is purely and simply Platini's attack on all things English Football.

[johntheclaret]

Amen to that.

[johntheclaret]

Personally, I think there are two likely outcomes to Sky's dilemma.

They will either force the EPL into an exclusivity contract for UK rights or they will significantly reduce their offer for future years.

They may even bid for global or pan European rights but considering the European Courts are already of the opinion that Sky are already in breach of "Freedom of Trade" laws, exclusivity rights seem unlikely.

The worst outcome will be that Sky lose their case and it opens the floodgates to other European satellite service providers, which reduces Sky's revenue and ergo the amount they are/can pay.

Either way the EPL can look forward to reduced income for TV rights and accordingly the amount that is passed onto the league clubs.

I can see this leading to clubs negotiating their own TV deals with the EPL leading to pay per view games

[Bully]

can see ESPN or setanta taking the rights to everything and pushing SKy out all together

[Bulls forever]

can see ESPN or setanta taking the rights to everything and pushing SKy out all together

Hey Bully, just read your footnote, nothings changed has it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[johntheclaret]

can see ESPN or setanta taking the rights to everything and pushing SKy out all together

Setanta paid for the rights to screen EPL and SPL a couple of years back but then went bust. If sky hadn't stepped in and took up the SPL contract Scottish football would be dead and buried now. ESPN took up the EPL contract.

Availability is the issue. Until Freesat and others get their act together Sky is the only realistic option. If I want to watch ESPN I have to pay another $20 per month on top of the $140 a month I pay for Sky.

[Darth Vader]

can see ESPN or setanta taking the rights to everything and pushing SKy out all together

Setanta paid for the rights to screen EPL and SPL a couple of years back but then went bust. If sky hadn't stepped in and took up the SPL contract Scottish football would be dead and buried now. ESPN took up the EPL contract.

Availability is the issue. Until Freesat and others get their act together Sky is the only realistic option. If I want to watch ESPN I have to pay another $20 per month on top of the $140 a month I pay for Sky.

Perhaps we can spot a deal. I am seriously miffed that I have to pay (in my pay tv package) for 379 soccer games a week 52 weeks a year. I dont watch the game and just flip past the telecasts while I try and find something palatable.
I also get the horse racing which is another thing I cant watch and have no interest in.

[johntheclaret]

You don't over here. Sky offer different packages ans Skysports is just one of them. You can opt not to take it. The fewer packages the cheaper the price. But skysports is one of the biggest money earners for them.

[Bully]

can see ESPN or setanta taking the rights to everything and pushing SKy out all together

Setanta paid for the rights to screen EPL and SPL a couple of years back but then went bust. If sky hadn't stepped in and took up the SPL contract Scottish football would be dead and buried now. ESPN took up the EPL contract.

Availability is the issue. Until Freesat and others get their act together Sky is the only realistic option. If I want to watch ESPN I have to pay another $20 per month on top of the $140 a month I pay for Sky.

Perhaps we can spot a deal. I am seriously miffed that I have to pay (in my pay tv package) for 379 soccer games a week 52 weeks a year. I dont watch the game and just flip past the telecasts while I try and find something palatable.
I also get the horse racing which is another thing I cant watch and have no interest in.

i dont have interest in horse racing either. but i just dont watch it. No one is telling you to watch the game. Your choice if you wish to pay for TV and dont want to watch shows. No one is forcing it on you.
We have packages over here also JTC depends on what you want to watch or have.