The Political Economy of Football V2

It’s over a quarter of a century since I worked in the United States.  Domestic soccer was in its infancy then.  I had to get up very early on a Saturday morning and get a change of trolleybuses across Seattle to watch Premier League football at an Irish bar.   Now the World Cup has given another boost to interest in the game, although it still lags behind American football, basketball and baseball (declining).   Is it bigger than (ice) hockey? Probably in the States but certainly not in Canada. “From the data we have and the metrics we look at, it suggests that we are the biggest Premier League club in the United States. I believe we’re in a unique position in terms of our pulling power.”   Liverpool’s chief commercial officer Ben Latty is talking to  The Athletic  about the impressive foothold they have established in the American market and their grand plans for further expansion. According to audience research company GWI (formerly Gl...

Ebbsfleet United have been suspended by the National League over financial concerns:  https://www.footballtradedirectory.com/ebbsfleet-united-suspended-by-national-league-over?cat=3077 Football finance guru Kieran Maguire commented: 'When it was suggested that perhaps something was not right at Ebbsfleet a few months ago the club and some (a minority TBF) fans started getting stroppy. Red flags are red flags. Winding up orders and non publication of accounts can be dismissed with airy comments on the club website, but can also be indicative of bigger issues.' Ebbsfleet United were originally known as Gravesend and Northfleet.

Not for the first time recently, a wind of change blows around St James’ Park, not in terms of ownership or purpose, but in approach, delivery and personnel. Almost five years on from the Saudi-led takeover, an era has ended with the departure of Eddie Howe, the transformative head coach who lifted a team and its city to new heights, and a new one is already taking shape. The club’s chief executive David Hopkinson calls it “Newcastle United 2.0”. Over the course of an hour-long interview with  The Athletic  in his office at St James’, Hopkinson addressed a range of subjects, including: Howe’s “extraordinary” record and his “admirable” decision to remain in post while Newcastle sourced his successor “Born winner” and “rock star” Jaissle, whose career has “no ceiling” Newcastle’s ambition “to be consistently and credibly competing for the top prizes” The continued commitment of Saudi’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), the club’s majority ow...

I take no pleasure in the rapid decline of Leicester City.  Many moons ago I went to university in Leicester and my personal tutor and many other staff were keen supporters.   I was delighted when they won the Premier League. What follows is a summary of points made by the authoritative Swiss Ramble.    Much more analysis and charts are available on his Substack page, there is often a free trial. Going down last season represented a significant under-performance, as they enjoyed one of the highest budgets in the Championship, boosted by a hefty parachute payment, and a squad that contained internationals and numerous players with Premier League experience. Points deduction Leicester weren’t helped by being hit with a six-point deduction for breaching the EFL’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) by £20.8m for the 3-year monitoring period up to 2023/24. The club appealed, but every one of its arguments was dismissed. They had managed to avoid a...

David Sullivan’s resignation as the co-chairman in June, following a Times and BBC Panorama   investigation into sexual misconduct allegations, which he emphatically denies, has left a power vacuum at the top. Daniel Kretinsky, the Royal Mail owner dubbed the “Czech Sphinx” who has owned a minority stake since 2021, was in pole position to seize control.  That was until Amanda Staveley entered the fray. The former Newcastle United investor agreed last weekend to buy a 25.1 per cent stake from the late David Gold’s family for £150million — which values the club at about £600million — and she could potentially gazump Kretinsky. It will be fascinating to see which of the leading characters in West Ham’s  Game of Thrones  are at the London Stadium on Saturday for the Carabao Cup first-round tie against Portsmouth. There is certainly optimism among supporters that West Ham can bounce back quickly from relegation. They have sold more than 50,000 tickets for the ...

The West Ham United co-owner David Sullivan has been advised not to attend the club’s home matches after a Times and BBC Panorama investigation into sexual misconduct allegations which he emphatically denies. The operator of London Stadium, where West Ham play their home games, has recommended to the club that Sullivan, 77, does not go to games, due to potential for fan unrest.    Additionally, the stadium operator has asked for advance notice of any planned visits by Sullivan in order to implement extra safety and operational measures. West Ham, however, have told London Stadium that they expect the businessman to still attend their games at the ground, before the club’s Carabao Cup tie against Portsmouth on Saturday, their first home match of the season. The Times and BBC Panorama investigation also revealed that Sullivan has had safeguarding restrictions imposed on him since 2023, banning him from contact with West Ham’s youth and women’s teams. The restrictions were ...