The group stage of the Champions League starts tonight and it's been organised so that the rich clubs can get richer. The threat of them breaking away is always at the back of Uefa's mind why is why it gives into their demands.
The value of the rights for the present three year cycle has increased by 50 per cent and clubs will share some £1.7 billion. Half of the teams come from only four countries. They happen to be home to the top four leagues and the biggest TV markets.
The prize money is being allocated in part (about one third) on the basis of a weighted historical coefficient. Although it is primarily based on the last ten years, it means that Tottenham Hotspur will get some extra for their 1963 victory in the Cup Winners' Cup (remember that: it was discontinued because the cup means much less elsewhere in Europe).
The new 5.55pm kick off slot means that you can gorge on four hours of football if you want (I would rather watch a live non-league game). It means more viewers and more sponsors, and hence more money.
As Gabrielle Marcotti pointed out in The Times yesterday, it's sport entertainment folks and the aim is to maximise the number of eyeballs. Five to six in the UK is quite an awkward time as many people are still travelling home from work. But Premier League viewing figures are up.
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