'Project Big Picture' exposing the self serving interests of MUFC and Liverpool

It will be interesting to see how it all pans out in the near future.

So this comes along as the RS finally win the league after 3 decades while United have been on the slide since 2013. Then they’ve watched on in a season where Leicester and Sheffield United nearly upset the applecart.

Add to that our own prominence and Leeds United returning and this smacks of the self appointed “Big Six” trying to keep their snouts in the trough.

Looking at the “Big Six”, three of them haven’t won the league as much as us and one in particular not since 1960.

The Arsenal haven’t won it for the best part of two decades.

And they’re now able to become the law makers in the league? This would be the RS who got us all kicked out of Europe in the mid-1980's, supported the racism from Suarez and didn’t apologise for the attacks on the Man City bus which led to further bloodshed. Yet the end of the EFL Cup doesn’t surprise me as Klopp has always whined about the English season being too long.

They are using the crisis to Trojan Horse their way into football a set of rules that would be ridiculous.

Thanks, Paul.

If it does come about, 'Franchises' will be created, Teams moved and merged. Somebody will get the short end of the merger stick.

Wigan RL, St Helens, Warrington and Widnes, 4 into 3 was deemed the way to go. The proposed merger between Warrington and Widnes which led to the near demise of a great club is a prime example very near to home.

Man Utd, Man City, Liverpool and Everton... see the parallels??

And we would have a good chance of being Widnes if Liverpool have any say.

They have taken a modern Covid opportunity on John Howard's 1546 proverb 'It's an ill wind that does nobody any good' and ran with it.

It's a bit like a Tory Budget 101. Handouts to the poor, perks for the rich and squeeze everybody in-between to pay for it.

If any of this except the help to clus like Leyton Orient... too late for Bury and Wigan etc. Well, the clubs have only themselves to blame.

"How do we do that?"

"They're hungry. Throw them a bone. A hungry dog always takes the bone. In return for that bone they desperately need and crave, demand more power."

"Will they fall for it?"

"Do they have a choice? They'll go out of business if they don't. Starvation, misery, depression awaits, if they don't take the bone now."

"Well how do we recoup the cost of throwing them a bone? Why should we give up even a single bone to those sub-humans? Why not let them rot?"

"We'll have the power in return for the bone. We'll shut off the spigot to the leeches after, and then stack the rules in our favor. We'll use them and manipulate them for our own gain in the long run. They're pawns and fools. Manipulate their present needs. Package it as a "we care" initiative. How can they say no to goodwill and kindness in their time of need?"

"I like it."

"So do I."

Satan and Beelzebub discussing the Big Picture.

In fact, I think clubs like Man City, Chelsea and Tottenham would not be in favour of this as they would be less able to leverage the selling of TV rights to their home games compared to the other 3 larger clubs.

Talk of this being moved to a US “franchise” system are well wide of the mark. The US leagues are competitive because they (in most sports) share revenues. They also make money because they don't have relegation and it's a closed circuit. But this proposal will institutionalise the top six in a way that is very unhealthy to the long-term competitiveness of the Premier League.

That said, it would be madness for the Premier League clubs to sign up to the new deal. Suicide even.

I am sure that Mr Moshiri would have some interesting proposals to put forward.

It will be interesting to hear from the other non elite prem clubs now that their noses are being pushed away from the trough.

There is an obscene amount of money in the premier league. Though clubs applied for government furlough schemes whilst paying players multi millions. Arsenal making 50 staff redundant on the day they sign a player for £45m.

These are strange times for everyone. Doing the right thing or enhancing society in any way seem to be things of the past.

As a Widnes RL fan the parallels between the clubs is amazing. At a similar time when the clubs were at the top domestically, something changed and both missed the boat.

We have to consolidate and protect the investment Moshiri has made already. Giving away power to 6 clubs is not the way to do that.

Great article Paul

2. The American Franchise model is usually geared to - especially in the NFL - trying to make the successful clubs weak and the bottom clubs the champions over a relatively short period of time. Maximum squad size. Maximum total wage bill. Clubs at the bottom of the league get first pick (remember those days in school) of the new academy graduates. No real transfers, just trading for academy picks. Contracts usually 1-2 years with loads of free agency.
While the tension of the last weeks of the season for those 3 relegation spots and excitement for Championship promotion would be lost, it could be interesting to see Liverpool having to trade away Salah as they added Van Dijk and Allison and that took them over the salary limit. Of Brighton offering silly money to Harry Kane because he is out of contract and Levy won't offer him £500,000 per week.
So we won't get the American Franchise model as the American's have it. We will have a UK version geared to keeping the rich teams at the top and so all the benefits (closed shop) without any downsides (level playing field for the franchises).
Animal Farm? Totally agree. All Franchises will be equal but some will be more equal than others.

It might also explain some of the obvious errors that the officials have made in games involving these two clubs during this 'discussion' period., which for Manchester United, in particular, was very helpful in that club gaining a place in Europe.

As ordinary fans, it's of paramount importance that the game on the pitch is at least seen to be fair, but given the greedy grab for money and power, it could be argued that there has been nothing fair about the last few years on or off the pitch.

LFC being LFC... who’d have thought.

I didn't do that. Amazon Fire trouble again.

Two examples in recent memory are firstly post Heysel LFC meant to serve additional years banned from Europe as opposed to other clubs. They made sure that never happened.

Secondly, in 2005, as Champions League winners, there was no facility to enter following season if not in top four so they changed the rules and we all know what happened then with a referee mysteriously coming out of retirement!

From a statement by the FA Chairman, who withdrew from talks on changes to the Premier League when a breakaway was threatened by the 'big six'. Their avarice and cynical power grab has failed, showing them trying to exploit the crisis in the game caused by Covid-19 for their own gain.

Is there not an obvious solution? The Football League gets a fixed percentage of the TV rights money for the Premier League?

Say it was 10% and the rights sold for £3 billion in 2022, the 72 league clubs split £300m. Then this happens at every TV rights sale.

The Premier League would adjust by paying slightly lower wage contracts and slightly reduced transfer fees.

I don't see any reason at all for any transfer of power to make the league an anticompetitive dictatorship or a reduction in size to 18 clubs to assist a European Super Champions League.

The balance is fine now, it is fair and it is competitive. It is exciting and a great product as it is, the smaller clubs can cause upsets on any given day. It's getting more like that now that smaller clubs have the financial firepower to sign some real quality players from Europe and South America, and can easily scoop up lower league talents.

The fact that Liverpool and Manchester Utd are squealing actually does prove that they see this competitiveness as a threat to their business models and want to stamp it out once and for all. The quest for power to stop it is incessant and those opposing should be equally as resilient.

Whilst there is equal voting rights, the Premier League clubs should draw up a constitution. No 1 on the list should be defending the democratic right of one club, one vote, specifically outlawing the transfer of power to a small group of clubs.

Cynical? You?? Never!!!

I saw straight through Mr Parry's sleight of hand, as soon as his name was even mentioned among all this, it all made sense that he and his former parish would be in cahoots.

What did strike me today was that this has clearly been going on for months, if Greg Clark at the FA is to be believed. He's said today that he ceased talks around the funding issue back in March because it became clear there were ulterior motives.

This would be the end of football below the championship. £250 mil sounds a lot but divide it amongst the 72 clubs and it’s not really. Transfer fees would rise, the salary cap would be pushed up and operating costs would be lost like the Arteta money at most clubs.
Offering a one off £100 mil sweetener to the FA raises serious doubts over the way this deal has been structured and Rick Parrys involvement.
So the League Cup disappears and that’s one less trophy to win and one less European place to aim for ? Under this plan the Shite would be in the top for until the end of time so they don’t care.
The Charity Shield is likewise fucked off as it’s an inconvenience to the mighty Reds ! it’s on a level with the Super Cup and World Club Championship for me. I don’t see them wanting to bin that though ££££.
Untied are on the way out both on and off the pitch and have seized an opportunity to cling onto the coat tails of up and coming clubs by the Shite. The Shite need a strong United if this goes through to help suppress Chelsea and City. They’ve become all conquering (in their heads) and have chosen this opportunity to inflict this at time when EFL clubs are struggling and for that they should be called out.
The plan pays lip service to Arsenal, Spurs and us and we should rise above it and if we are the ‘peoples club’ listen to the people and have no part in this disgusting invasion concocted by THEM.

Of course we should keep the Premier -numbers and voting as it is at present.

All 20 Premier League clubs today unanimously agreed that "Project Big Picture" will not be endorsed or pursued by the Premier League, or The FA.

Further, Premier League Shareholders agreed to work together as a 20-club collective on a strategic plan for the future structures and financing of English football, consulting with all stakeholders to ensure a vibrant, competitive and sustainable football pyramid.
Open and transparent process

Clubs will work collaboratively, in an open and transparent process, focusing on competition structure, calendar, governance and financial sustainability.

This project has the full support of The FA and will include engagement with all relevant stakeholders including fans, Government and, of course, the EFL.
Rescue package for Leagues One and Two

Also at today's meeting it was agreed to make available a rescue package which aims to ensure that League One and League Two clubs will not go out of business as a result of the financial impact of COVID-19 and be able to complete the 2020/21 season.

League One and League Two clubs rely more heavily on matchday revenue and have fewer resources at their disposal than Championship or Premier League clubs and are therefore more at risk, especially at a time when fans are excluded from attending matches.

This offer will consist of grants and interest-free loans totalling a further £50million on top of the £27.2million solidarity payments already advanced to League One and League Two this year, making a total of £77.2million.
Talks on Championship finances

Discussions will also continue with the EFL regarding Championship clubs’ financial needs. This addresses Government concerns about lower-league clubs' financial fragility.

Football is not the same without attending fans and the football economy is unsustainable without them. The Premier League and all our clubs remain committed to the safe return of fans as soon as possible.

...The idea has divided the top division, with the 14 other clubs believed to be strongly against the change in governance – with the league and the Football Association sharing their view. At Wednesday’s virtual conference call, the Premier League chairman, Gary Hoffman, called for unity after an unedifying week and the Everton chief executive, Denise Barrett-Baxendale, demanded an apology from Liverpool and United, who were represented by Tom Werner and Ed Woodward, club chairman and executive vice-chairman, respectively.

Werner and Woodward refused, feeling that they had nothing to apologise for. They claimed to have merely been discussing a list of ideas, to have been brainstorming some forward-planning, and it was unfortunate that they had leaked into the public domain. This led to incredulity in some quarters

rejected

2 benefits, 1. The big 6 don't have to worry about fixtures. 2, a new team wins the league cup every year but the league cup winners still get a place in Europe the following year. Win win in my mind.

Also to support teams in the lower divisions if a Premier team is drawn against team from a lower division the premier team has to play away from home, no replays or extratime straight to pennos.

Thank you premier league big "6"

Brian #35, it's called waving the white flag.

"Significantly, the other members of the Big Six – Tottenham, Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal – are understood to have stayed silent, which was surprising to some clubs on the call."

Shamed into silence.

Everything they wanted except the big prize - perpetual domination by a handful.

I also believe every word of the claim by Werner and Woodward, so nothing to worry about.

There's the key. Thrilled common sense and rational thought has won the day.

And Brent at 42 nails it.

But beware, these people don't listen to "no" and will, I promise, think of some obscure angle to manipulate the system to what they want, packaging the thing and marketing it like it was some fucking gift their brilliant minds dreamed up for the good of the pawns and masses.

I'd be wary and vigilant of these fuckers until the Big Man rings the bell.

I am so, so proud of our Club and DBB demanding an apology from the shite and those fuckers down your road. Like bird-chested, chin back, grinning ear-to-ear proud.

That is brilliant.

Nothing to apologize for? Fuck off. Kieran at 44 absolutely nails it.

I am so happy this is past us for the time being.

You're having a fucking laugh!

This really stirred me up. I want to beat them so, so badly now - worse than I've ever wanted us to beat them.

They really showed what type of Club they are. To the point that my love of the Red Sox has diminished a bit. What they've done is unconscionable.

Three points Saturday and watch the scheming, proud, arrogant jerks grovel in misery. Please, please, please.

This club has needed to reassert itself for a long time and putting those fuckers in their place is a good way of starting. The nonsense was nothing more than a few classless money grabbing yanks chancing their arm.

The 'franchise' won't be worth much then...

United and Liverpool had drawn up the divorce papers and decided unilaterally the division of assets and income before telling their other partner(s)of their plans. Just voting no and demanding an apology is not enough in my book.

Are we sat with the "top 6" at the table making the decisions or or are we on the floor around the table begging for scraps.

the fact that so called mortal enemies Liverpool and Utd came together says it all. The fact that the red Rick Parry also give it his seal of approval also smacks of corruption.

The premiership should dock UItd and Liverpool points for treason.

Keep up the great articles Paul.........love reading anything you put on here. Please do more.

Barry @49 -

You've nailed it. These buffoons are the types of people that make the stereotype of the American Businessman / Businesswoman accurate. And it offends me and pisses me off.

I mentioned on another thread, there are literally millions of small business owners in this country who do things the right way. Then FSG and the Glazers sweep in and completely crap on our reputation, solidifying a sweeping generalization that is inaccurate, but warranted. That last bit seems a contradiction, but isn't.

If anyone on TW has taken anything from my near hysterical rantings about this situation and the descriptive terms used for American Businessman / Businesswoman, please know this:

Americans, whether liberal or conservative, whether Gaynes or Crowley, overwhelmingly agree that our country is being taken over by people with massive power and massive wallets, and the "common man" has been ignored and forgotten. Exemplified by the outrageous actions of Liverpool and Manchester United microcosmically, with your sport. The big are trying to control and eat the little. Every damn day.

On behalf of an entire nation I apologize, and please know these bastards are not representative of the overwhelming majority of American Businessmen / Businesswomen. They make us look bad, and it's embarrassing.

It makes me think of Fawlty Towers and the Waldorf Salad episode. You see both stereotypes illustrated: the brash classless "yank" and the stuffy, little Englander Basil Falwty. Reality is, it was actually a Slitherin English man, Rick Parry who seemed to drive this. Henry/Glazer aren't going to look a gift horse in the mouth. The outcome would have been the same if clubs were owned by Aussies like Kerry Packer and Robert Murdoch, Mexicans like Carlos Slim, Hungarians like George Soros. i.e. Greedy powerful people with a chance to exploit.

Kieran, one correction. George Soros is not a "Hungarian"... he is a naturalized American citizen, probably for 40 or 50 years. He is also a Holocaust survivor who is the world's leading target of anti-Semitic conspiracy theories -- look up various anti-Jewish tropes applied to Soros and you'll get hundreds of thousands of hits on Google. Soros has donated 80% of his fortune, more than $32 billion, to defeat Communism and nationalism and establish democracy in the former Iron Curtain countries through his Open Society Foundations. Nor has he ever exploited anything except currencies and banks -- never ordinary people. Don't put him in with the rest of those names. He doesn't belong there.

I don't think anyone is disputing the "perps" could be of any nation it just happens to be a few classless yanks at the helm of this scurrilous piracy. The USA en masse are not in the dock.

Rick Parry is a weasel faced twat