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American ownership could be a game changer

The authoritative Swiss Ramble reviews the rise of American ownership in the Premier League: https://swissramble.substack.com/p/the-rise-of-premier-league-american

The number of clubs in the Premier League under American control (100% ownership or majority stake) up to eight: Arsenal, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Fulham, Liverpool, Manchester United.   There are only five clubs still under British control: Brentford, Brighton and Hove Albion, Everton, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham.   In fact, more than half of Premier League clubs are now backed by US money, as 11 have received some level of investment.

In addition, three Championship clubs have American owners, namely Burnley, Millwall and Swansea City.

American owners will expect to make a profit and generate a return on their capital, so there is likely to be a clash with the expectations of the fans, as they attempt to introduce a model with which they are more comfortable.

This could include things like revenue sharing, wage caps and, most controversially, a closed league, i.e. no promotion or relegation. In this way, their investment would be more secure.

Any new rules or amendments to existing rules require a 2/3 majority, i.e. 14 clubs have to vote in favour of a change.  With 11 clubs in the Premier League currently having some form of American ownership, the possibility of them having complete control one day does not seem completely unrealistic.


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