The first was news that the proposed "New Deal" for football-a new formula for increased wealth redistribution throughout the English Pyramid-had collapsed after months of intense discussions between the Premier League and the EFL.
The Premier League is currently sharing £1.6 billion with the Pyramid over a three-year period. That sounds like an eye-watering figure, right? Sure, until you realise that the vast majority of that is dished out to relegated Premier League clubs in the form of parachute payments.
The second was a story about how the same Premier League clubs are forging a plan that could result in many of them raking in millions in profits. The idea is for a new spending cap that would link the amount any club can spend on wages to how much television money is paid to the lowest-placed team.
The proposal is called "anchoring", and would restrict the top teams (Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool et al) to spending, say, four and a half times the amount the bottom club (Sheffield United, Burnley or Luton Town, for example) received in TV money.
Doesn't sound like such a bad idea, right? Might help maintain a degree of competitive balance at a time when the gap between the haves and the have-nots is growing wider. But here's the thing.
What happens about the clubs who participate in the Champions League? Or, from 2025, the new Club World Cup (prize money for the winner: €100 million)? Those billionaire owners -who, as we have just been reminded, do not give a damn about the health of the Pyramid-will be able to cream millions off the top.
Denne historien er fra March 24, 2024-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
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Denne historien er fra March 24, 2024-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
CURRAN HAUNTS NASH 3 AGAIN! FER FOOTBAL GROUP
Savage delight as Macc hold nerve
WILL'S BRACE SPOT ON FOR LIONS'TITLE BID
WILL Longbottom's second-half brace from the penalty spot saw Guiseley beat Hebburn Town - a result which saw them leapfrog the Hornets in the play-off places.
CLARKE ENJOYS INSTANT IMPACT!
Returning boss sees Reds clinch late win
JACKSON STUNNER BOOSTS CLARETS
FARNHAM Town staged a second-half fightback to further cement their position at the top of the Isthmian South Central.
WELLIES ARE ON THE UP AGAIN!
THE terrible Coronavirus outbreak decimated Non-League football in many ways.
BRETT BAGS A QUICK SWITCH
Munyard joins Jammers after Regent
BEES HIT BACK IN CAPITAL THRILLER
NICKE Kabamba scored two penalties inside three second-half minutes as high-flying Barnet fought back to edge out London rivals Dagenham & Redbridge in a seven-goal thriller at Victoria Park.
NOR'S THE MERRIER FOR LATICS
SLICK Oldham Athletic cantered to a resounding victory over Tamworth - but boss Micky Mellon and his management are still demanding more!
JOE'S GOT ROBINS IN THE ZONE!
FREE-SCORING Altrincham made it five matches unbeaten as they comfortably beat struggling Southend United to close in on the playoff spots.
SHAYMEN ARE HOTI TO TROT
TEN-MAN Yeovil Town found FC Halifax unbreachable Town despite concerted efforts as the Shaymen edged this battle of National League play-off contenders at Huish Park.
