October 25 – Proposals to give a greater share of overseas television revenue to the Premier League’s so-called big six from 2019 has been ditched after no progress was made over the controversial plan.
Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham wanted a larger proportion of income generated from the sale of rights to overseas broadcasters.
That income is around £3 billion for the current 2016-19 cycle – generating £39 million annually for each club – and has always been distributed equally since the creation of the Premier League 25 years ago.
A plan suggested 35% of revenue from the sale of global TV rights should be divided based on league position. But a meeting set for today was called off when it became clear the concept would not gain the approval of a majority 14 top-flight clubs.
The biggest clubs are understood to feel it is their global status that drives interest in the overseas broadcast rights and that they therefore deserve a larger slice of the income. Reports suggested three more clubs – Everton, West Ham and Leicester – might have voted for a new distribution model but no more.
In a statement the Premier League said: “Clubs have been discussing the distribution formula for their international broadcasting revenues. The Premier League has facilitated these discussions, to bring together the wide range of views which exist. It has become clear there is currently no consensus for change.”
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