The Political Economy of Football V2

The surprise story in European football this season has undoubtedly been Girona, who have featured prominently at the top of La Liga, battling with the traditional elite like Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atleti in only their second season back in Spain’s top flight.   I watched Real Madrid beat them 4-0 on television on Saturday, but that could just be a blip. The club’s own aspirations after promotion were relatively modest, as summarised by chief executive Ignasi Mas-Bagà, “The goal was non-relegation. That has been the target since we arrived. Leading the table is like a dream for us. But it’s not an obsession. The focus is long-term stability.” This reaction was understandable, given that Girona’s promotion in 2021/22 was only secured via the play-offs after the club finished sixth in the Segunda division. In fact, this was only the second time that the club from Northern Catalonia had reached La Liga, having spent two years in the top flight after promotion in 2016/17. ...

Last night I watched Real Madrid play Girona on ITV 4.    Real overwhelmed their opponents, not least because of Jude Bellingham who scored twice. Girona have flourished since returning to the top flight for last season, catapulting themselves towards the top of the league under manager Michel Sanchez. Girona are part of City Football Group, the global footballing empire.   City Football Group is the brainchild of Ferran Soriano — the former Barcelona executive who has been Manchester City’s chief executive since 2012. He also now holds the same position across the wider footballing group. First incorporated in 2013, it comprises full or partial ownership of 13 clubs across five continents. Several of the teams involved have gradually transitioned from their pre-takeover kits towards City’s colours — though they share more than a sky-blue shirt. Soriano has explained in his book, Goal: The Ball Doesn’t Go In By Chance , that Europe’s elite must act like ...

Staging Premier League matches abroad was an unfulfilled ambition of outgoing Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore. However, La Liga is seeking permission from the Spanish Football Federation to move the January 26th fixture between Girona and FC Barcelona to Miami's Hard Rock stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins NFL team. They has thus got ahead of the Premier League in taking a further symbolic step along the road towards the globalisation of football. The plan to play La Liga games overseas forms part of a joint venture between La Liga and Relevent Sports, a US promoter backed by Stephen Ross, the billionaire owner of the Dolphins. The objective is to increase La Liga's revenue from sponsorship and media rights in North America. The presence of a large population of Hispanic origin in Miami makes it a particularly suitable venue for the first game in the US. Qatar-based beIN Sports is paying $60m dollars a season for the US broadcast rights to La Liga. Howe...