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
BRENNAN STINGS 'MOANY' BEES!
FRUSTRATED Dean Brennan has lashed out at the \"miserable, moany\" Barnet boo boys and urged them to get behind the team in their bid for promotion.
ACE REED WAITED TO MAKE A MARK
WHEN Mark Reed sensed his manager turn around to look his way on Tuesday night, he knew what was coming next.
CHURCH HAILS TEENAGE KICKS
DEBUTANT Dan Shaw got his teenage kicks with the rocket that fired Alvechurch to the top of the table.
LEES SO PROUD OF HIS SHAKERS
SUPER Shakers made it 14 games unbeaten this season after easing to victory against struggling NPL outfit Blyth Spartans.
SEVEN-UP A STONES
RONAN Silva turned in a four-star display as Salisbury highlighted the three-division difference in quality against their Wessex Premier opponents.
HORGAN'S RELIEF AT TOWN SIX APPEAL
CHIPPENHAM Town heeded manager Gary Horgan's prematch warning about a potential shock and despatched their Jewson Western League hosts.
BRAD'S LEVELLER RESCUES THE IRON
IN A terrific FA Cup second qualifying round tie, Step 4 Newcastle Town held National League North leaders Scunthorpe at Buckmaster Avenue.
WHING IS SURE IT'S MOOR OF THE SAME
A BRACE from Conor Wilkinson brought Solihull Moors back-to-back National League victories.
MOR'S U'S ARE BACK ON TRACK
SUTTON United got back to winning ways with a wel come victory at Southend United.
DUO GET THEIR JUST REWARDS
ENGLAND legend Stuart Pearce has made surprise appearances at two Trident League clubs to hail a pair of award-winning volunteers who earned national recognition for their inspirational exploits.
