A Premier League XI could face the best players from Germany, Spain and Italy with ‘All-Star’ matches being staged around the world, it has been reported.
Todd Boehly (Chelsea co-owner) recently proposed the idea of staging an event. north vs south ‘All-Star’ Premier League matchThis is what came in for Heavily criticised.
But The Times reports Boehly’s suggestion was one of a number of plans discussed by club executives and that a more popular and likely idea was to form a combined Premier League side that could meet their counterparts from rival leagues.
The summer or winter breaks could be used to stage matches in Europe and other parts of the world. This would allow for a global audience to grow.
According to the report, this idea will likely be pursued in conjunction with other suggestions for new ways to grow audiences and increase overseas TV rights.
One reason for these discussions is the increase in American ownership in top flight. Half of the clubs in this division have some American investment.
They may have to wait for the dust to settle on Boehly’s initial proposal. Boehly also owns shares of the LA Dodgers baseball team and the NBA Lakers, which he told a New York conference that he was discussing all-star plans in the club with other clubs.
“Ultimately, I hope the Premier League takes a little bit of a lesson from American sports,” he said.
“People are talking about more money for the pyramid; in the MLB all-star game this year we made $200 million (£181 million).”
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was the first person to criticize the ideaThe strain on top players is cited as the reason.
“When he finds a date for that, he can call me,” Klopp said. “In American sports, these players have four-month breaks. Does he want to bring the Harlem Globetrotters as well?”
At this stage it’s not clear how soon clubs will look to formally push ahead with the plans and what the response will be from the foreign leagues.
The Premier League is, however, the most wealthy league in the world. It has greater global reach than any of its competitors, who may be tempted to take advantage of any opportunity to improve their own image.
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