La Liga to go Abroad

[CosbehFox]

15 minutes ago, purpleronnie said:

Atlanta average 50,000 (and have had over 70,000), Seattle despite being awful get over 40,000 a week, the odd prem or la liga games would sell out big grounds easily.

So Rayo v Valladolid would sell 50k? Or Burnley v Huddersfield? Not a chance. We’ve seen with the friendlies this summer that Americans are aware of footballing status whether that the quality of the team or the competitive nature of the game. 

 

Seattle and Atlanta get them crowds because it’s become local culture to cheer on your team. 

 

If you want a comparison piece, look at Rugby Union and it’s attempts at breaking the USA. All Blacks sold out Soldier Field no problem. Wales and South Africa couldn’t get half of a 55k stadium. 

[CosbehFox]

2 hours ago, MattP said:

And I've attended many of these games so again I'm part of the problem.

US Football history is born of business and franchise. Soccer/Football was born of local culture, regionalism and that link with the people. Similarly I think it’s why Baseball’s attempts at foreign hosting is generally a disaster as the history is so rich to the US.  

 

It suits American Football. Bring Rams, Jaguars and Raiders with their history of different venues and different cities. 

 

But you’ll never get a Green Bay come over here where the link is huge to their region. 

[rn9013]

This happening to the PL would be one of the only things that would make me compelled to hand in my membership and boycott the club I love. I find the idea of football being exported thousands of miles away from its traditional routes in the name of money sickening to be honest. The thought of the average fan being marginalised (even if only for one game) because they can't afford to travel to the US would not feel right and would I imagine help me lose my love for the PL. 

 

That being said, I genuinely think British culture and society is very different and this would never be allowed to happen. Scudamore touted this back in 2008 and quickly had to give it up because of the public backlash, and I don't think much has changed. The PL as a product is incredibly valuable, but much of what makes that product so valuable to TV firms is the unique fan base in this country, lose this and you lose a significant part of the product. 

[Stadt]

I'm concerned because there isn't much of a protest culture in English football, even in Germany the DFB and others have started testing the boundaries and forcing through unpopular developments.

[Fox92]

Awful.

[iamafox]

What the fvck

[KingsX]

So official La Liga games are coming to the United States as soon as this season, are they? Don’t count on it.

Despite Thursday’s joint announcement by Spain’s vaunted first division – the home to global juggernauts Barcelona and Real Madrid and perhaps the best domestic soccer league in the world – and Relevent Sports, its North American marketing partner, that La Liga “plans” to play at least one official match in the U.S. or Canada every season for the next 15 years, it’s highly unlikely to happen, according to multiple sources.

“There’s no chance in hell,” one source told Yahoo Sports.

There are plenty of reasons why not. Let’s put aside for now that there’s already been public opposition from Spain’s players union. It’s also far from clear at this stage that the individual clubs are all on board.

The main hurdle La Liga and Relevant face is getting the required approval from various governing bodies at the international, regional, and national levels, starting with FIFA. As global soccer’s gatekeeper, FIFA would have to rubber-stamp any plan that would involve official matches in a country’s domestic competition to be played outside that country.

And while FIFA has allowed competitive matches to be played at neutral sites in the past, most of those have been international matches that needed to be moved because of a specific set of circumstances, such as war or natural disaster. It’s never really been done at club level for purely economic reasons.

And before you say, correctly, that money talks when it comes to FIFA, it’s hard to see the organization being swayed into setting a potentially dangerous new precedent for the relatively little money that a one-off La Liga match could generate, even in a place like Miami. Because if FIFA said yes to this proposal, what would stop Europe’s other top teams from routinely playing league games in foreign lands, diverting revenue from local clubs in the process?

And even if FIFA did greenlight the plan, others could still stop it. CONCACAF, which oversees the sport in North and Central America and the Caribbean, has the jurisdiction to say no. CONCACAF has in the past balked at the idea of teams from the English Premier League and Mexico’s Liga MX playing meaningful games on U.S. soil. Both of those circuits have since essentially abandoned the idea. UEFA, Europe’s governing body, would also have to approve any deal that involved teams from Spain or any other European country.

In the event that La Liga’s plan cleared all of those obstacles, the United States Soccer Federation, which sanctions every soccer game played within the country’s borders, would have the final say. It’s hard to see La Liga convincing the USSF that staging such a match would be in the best interests of the sport in the country.

A single match played during Major League Soccer’s offseason would have little to no impact on the USA and Canada’s top league. But what if that number grew?  It’s safe to assume that MLS, whose commissioner Don Garber has bristled at European clubs’ barnstorming summer tours before, would not be in favor of it. (An MLS spokesman declined to comment.)

But so far, that’s all hypothetical. A U.S. Soccer spokesman told Yahoo Sports that as of Thursday afternoon, no formal request to stage a competitive game between La Liga squads has been submitted to the USSF.

Still, media outlets around the world reported La Liga’s proposal as if it is a done deal. The truth is it’s a long way from happening, if it ever happens at all.

https://sports.yahoo.com/la-liga-games-united-states-soil-not-fast-220436140.html

 

[purpleronnie]

On ‎16‎/‎08‎/‎2018 at 16:07, Cardiff_Fox said:

So Rayo v Valladolid would sell 50k? Or Burnley v Huddersfield? Not a chance. We’ve seen with the friendlies this summer that Americans are aware of footballing status whether that the quality of the team or the competitive nature of the game. 

 

Seattle and Atlanta get them crowds because it’s become local culture to cheer on your team. 

 

If you want a comparison piece, look at Rugby Union and it’s attempts at breaking the USA. All Blacks sold out Soldier Field no problem. Wales and South Africa couldn’t get half of a 55k stadium. 

I doubt they'll choose those games, no doubt it'll written in that the bigger clubs will be involved when playing little old burnley etc....probably be the same with la liga clubs too.

 

Of course this will throw up 'that's unfair' amongst the smaller clubs, but I'm sure they'll work out some financial settlement.

[MC Prussian]

La Liga captains to meet in order to discuss "concerns" over the decision to move La Liga matches to the US:

Quote

La Liga agreed a 15-year deal with US media company Relevent on Friday.

The Spanish players' union, AFE, says players were not consulted by La Liga.

"Footballers once again feel marginalized in decision-making," read an AFE statement.

"We believe their opinions are essential for the growth of Spanish football.

"We demand balance and common sense. If the greatness of football is the passion it generates, why are decisions made against it?"

Captains or representatives from each of the 20 teams in La Liga will attend the meeting at the AFE headquarters in Madrid.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/45269974

[Xen]

1 hour ago, MC Prussian said:

La Liga captains to meet in order to discuss "concerns" over the decision to move La Liga matches to the US:

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/45269974

Good.

Hopefully the clubs themselves follow suit, and boycott whatever La Liga decides to ush ahead with. Can't play a match abroad if the teams and players (mutually) don't show up.

With such backlash from within the game - and in particular the powerhouses of Barca/Real - hopefully this will permanently put to bed any hopes of this happening elsewhere.

[Mike Oxlong]

If football goes this way might as well strip teams of their names and just give them numbers. 

[lildave3]

13 minutes ago, Mike Oxlong said:

If football goes this way might as well strip teams of their names and just give them numbers. 

What does that even mean

[foxy boxing]

Clubs will want to do anything to maximise revenue and with many clubs such as Man Utd and Liverpool now global brands. The ordinary fan who goes through the turnstile every week is becoming financially less and less important. A lot of clubs if they could would probably become franchises and keep the name but move around but to maybe other countries where there is an interest in them. It’s not what ordinary fans want but when are we ever listened to. 

[Mr Mister]

Sad day if that happens. 

[Guest]

On 16/08/2018 at 14:07, MattP said:

We'd all be complicit as well, if Leicester played a league game in the USA we all know 99% of the people on here would still watch it. Premier League football is an addiction and we can't get enough of it.

 

The only way we can stop these things is by not paying for it but we still will, whatever they do.

Not sure I understand what you mean.

Boycotting watching 1 match wouldn't make any difference.

Are you suggesting that the fans must refuse to watch any of the games during the season?

Like many have said Americans will only be interested in watching matches that include the big 5 (I'm excluding Spurs because I don't think they have the international pull of the others). If the FA decide to do this, I hope that the "european super league" starts up and we can say goodbye to the plastic teams and get back watching Football. Pretty sure most won't agree but I have no problem of an English top division without Manure, Arse and whoever.

English football has been losing its identity for many decades, it has become an international league unlike any other, perhaps it's time to go the whole hog with a european league and return English football to the English fan. 

[KingsX]

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) is the  latest organization to put the kabosh on La Liga’s plan to take their game abroad.

 

Joining with FIFA, the RFEF will reportedly not approve Barcelona’s match at Girona being moved to Miami on January 27 of next year. The RFEF are expected to make their view public on Friday, per Cadena Cope. Its the latest blow to the previously announced 15-year deal between Relevant Sports and La Liga, which on its face claims to be a marketing rights deal but in practice would include taking league matches outside of Spain. The decision to move games abroad has been panned by fans and media across the globe, with players in Spain’s top two divisions also making their frustrations known.

 

In order for a match to take place abroad, it needs approval from all the associations governing the sport in the countries involved, a process that makes it seem very unlikely it will happen any time soon. Ultimately, it appears it will take a serious political effort on the part of Relevant Sports to get FIFA, the RFEF and U.S. Soccer to all agree to something that may not pay immediate dividends to those associations.

 

https://soccer.nbcsports.com/2018/09/21/spain-fa-to-oppose-la-liga-match-in-us/

[davieG]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-45020843

 

Spain's La Liga sets global goals
By Bill Wilson
Business reporter, BBC News
23 September 2018

Spain's La Liga is taking games to North America, but that high-profile move is only the tip of the iceberg as it looks to challenge England's Premier League as the world's pre-eminent football league.

In staging competitive matches in the US and Canada over 15 years, La Liga is the first of Europe's big five leagues to pledge to stage a game overseas.

La Liga has asked the Spanish FA to play the Girona v Barcelona match next January at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, in what league president Javier Tebas has called a "groundbreaking agreement".

Initially the players' union and fan groups were both vehemently opposed, although the fans have now been appeased after it was agreed that Girona season ticket holders would be compensated.

Fans United says the venture will "bring Spanish football and La Liga closer to fans in the US - one of the countries with the most fans of La Liga teams - [and] represents a unique opportunity to connect and serve these fans, who face a huge challenge every day to follow their teams".

However, after talks between La Liga and the Spanish footballers' union (AFE), players still say they have a level of "discomfort" about the proposals and say they will have the final say on whether the match goes ahead.

'Entertainment provider'
The North American venture is all part of a wider push that has quietly been taking place over the past couple of years.

"We are building our global brand... moving forwards and changing from being a football regulator into an entertainment provider," says Joris Evers, global communications officer for La Liga.

La Liga has opened various offices recently - including in Dubai, India, China, Singapore, South Africa, Nigeria, the US and Mexico.

There has also been the formation of the La Liga Global Network initiative, hiring 44 people around the world to be "business scouts" on La Liga's behalf.

"They are looking to discover new markets, to make sure we know about different markets, to look for opportunities and also to be aware of potential threats," says Mr Evers, the Dutchman who rose to prominence as the man who helped promote the then-fledgling Netflix to the world.

"We are working to further penetrate those markets that look promising."

Support service
Mr Evers says: "The role the delegates have is unique, as every potential market - Hungary, Chile, Costa Rica, Russia, Vietnam, Malaysia - is different. Their roles cover business development - things like opening academies, securing sponsorship, TV deals - and also being a resource on the ground for our clubs."

He says if a club such as Girona wants to investigate a new market such as India, they can come to La Liga, which will work with them to help with things such as marketing and sponsorship opportunities in the country.

That level of support is only possible because the organisation has gone from being a 45-person outfit to one employing 400 people around the world, with experts being bought in from outside sport, for example from the banking, health and digital media sectors.

It is all part of a turnaround initiated by Javier Tebas when he took over the reins at La Liga five years ago.

Since then he has brought some order to the chaotic financial situation that many clubs had found themselves in, with club spending, for example on players, tied to the economic performance of the club.

Transfer restrictions
In 2015 La Liga TV rights were sold collectively for the first time. Prior to that clubs sold their own individual rights, something which benefited Real Madrid and Barcelona, but not the majority of teams.

"There was a huge increase for the clubs in terms of TV rights money, particularly for the smaller clubs - but the bigger clubs got more money too," says Mr Evers.

Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES
Image caption
The collective sale of TV rights has benefited both small and large clubs
"That was the final key to helping smaller teams get back to financial health, as the television revenues allow for more investment."

He says there is now more interest from financial investors to get involved in the Spanish game.

"Before, clubs could only get short-term financial credit," he says. "Now investors are willing to lend for longer, and at better rates."

Tim Bridge, Spanish football expert at Deloitte, agrees that a few years ago Spanish football was in a financial mess.

"Clubs across the top two leagues were in administration, and many were in debt to public authorities such as the taxman," he says.

"When Javier Tebas came in he had those two pressing tasks; to clear up the financial situation at clubs and reforming the existing TV deals towards a collective model.

"Spanish clubs have to submit budgets in advance, if they can't meet their liabilities then they are placed under a transfer embargo, and other restrictions."

Digital developments
Mr Bridge says another important development has been investing in the actual look and presentation of La Liga's television product.

"TV centralisation has ensured more eyeballs around the world," says Mr Bridge.

"La Liga clubs are also utilising something called 'digital billboard replacement'. These are perimeter advertising boards in the stadium - but which have a digital overlay facility, allowing for different advertisements to be seen in different TV territories simultaneously.

"So, in each different TV market around the world the live action will show local advertising on the billboards, rather than those being seen in the stadium at the actual match in Spain.

"It enables local sponsor partners to maximise their investment in La Liga in their own territories."

'Taking risk'
Mr Bridge says La Liga wants to be at the forefront of the next wave of sporting development over the coming decade.

"The overseas concept is one that has a lot to merit it, if you look at the Spanish clubs' pre-season tours and the large numbers of attendees, then the place to take overseas games had to be North America.

"And if you are looking to build new fan bases, the way to build awareness is through a competitive match.

"They are willing to take the risk, as they obviously believe the game is going to become even more significant globally in future."

But he says one major challenge remains, namely getting more clubs competing for the league title. Real Madrid and Barcelona have won all but one of the last 14 titles.

"The reason the Premier League is so successful is that on any given day any team can beat any other one, that does not happen enough at present in La Liga."

[CosbehFox]

Interestingly there's a side argument going on between the Spanish FA and La Liga at the moment. La Liga to maximise it's coverage across the globe stages games in a consecutive nature e.g. Friday 8, Sat 12, Sat 2, Sat 4, Sat 6, Sat 8, Sun 12, Sun 2 so and so on.

 

With the high temperatures, the players have been complaining about the early afternoon fixtures during the summer months. There's been examples of fans in the crowds suffering sunstroke etc. In Italy for example, the first three weekends the games were mostly played at night but Spain doesn't alter. 

Edited 24 September 2018 by Cardiff_Fox