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| Source: MEDIUM. |
By Davy Fidel
(Author/Freelance)
Football is now the biggest sport in the world. And, it is attracting the highest commercials and world views. It is not the fun that matters but the merchandise that governs it. The politics, investments, and profits are also ingredients that have spurred the game today. People watching it has brought in a new flavour and new market for investors and club owners.
The game has grown in width and length. And the huge profits that are made in the commercials, TV rights, and other funds generated are growing fast. Big investors and corporate organizations are investing money, buying shares, and owning clubs. The English Premier League is an example. At a time, the buying of New Castle led to fans' agitations.
On record, the English premier league is the biggest watching view league in the world compared to the French, Bundesliga, Spanish, Seria A, and Dutch leagues. Not because they are not attractive, but because it is the merchandise. Only on TV rights and commercials alone. Chelsea FC made a sum of "309 million euros" in broadcasting as revenue in the 2020/2021 seasons compared to what it generated in 2010/2011.
Statista reveals that 6.1 billion Euros was projected revenue in the 2020/2021 premier league seasons. Compared to other leagues in Europe. The premier league have dominated the football market. That is why billionaires and corporate organizations are investing their capital in it. It is a big bowl to feed upon. And club owners are having their cut in big ways.
In England, where these revenues are declared. People are struggling to balance their feet on the ground. Living conditions are getting harder. And Reuters (16/11/22) reported that the "jobless rate rises as the UK prepares to tighten belts again." In reality, club owners are not affected by the cost of living or any government policies. Through those in power, they decide what comes their way or not.
Of course, people's passion for watching football can not be taken away from them. They love it. They enjoy it. And among all the leagues televised, the English premier league has a footprint in many neo-colonial countries. Nigeria is an example. Many young people and families are watching the game. Not only that, it has opened a new market for investors to establish betting sites, which also is serving as a means of livelihood for many people amidst the unemployment rise and hard social realities.
This is not peculiar to Nigeria. Even in Europe, there are betting sites people are staking their money. People are predicting the clubs to win or lose. And people are losing millions of dollars (including naira) to this betting. For the merchants and investors in football, it is a big source of revenue for them. They don't lose. They win. That is the unfortunate story about investments and the football industry.
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In 2022, the English "premier [league] celebrates 30-year rise to global dominance." In Reuter's report, it said that 800 million homes in 188 countries are watching the English premier league. It also mentioned that it has 90 broadcasters, 400 channels showing the game and a billion followers on social media. It is not going to stop here. In future, other leagues in Europe might collapse when club owners begin to withdraw their funds.
Though, it is not going to happen immediately. It will take plenty of time. However, the sign of it has been demonstrated in Reuter's report and others news revealing the future of the English Premier. Not because of its dominance, but because of the TV rights, commercials, merchandise, and other revenues club owners are enjoying. There shall be huge crises for many clubs in other parts of Europe if this dominance continues for another 30 years.
Nothing is permanent. The English league might experience its downfall. But it is not something that will occur automatically as far as the billionaires investing in football are the people controlling the market. It will take a political way out to turn things around. But in the meantime, the English league will continue to dominate global football. Not only in English-speaking countries. But other nationalities that are not speaking English. They see the premier league as the new route of investments.
Compare to the premier league having its footprints in many underdeveloped and developing countries and nations. The TV rights, commercials, and merchandise, the premier league enjoys. Other leagues in Europe are not enjoying it. If at all they do. The percentage is not the same. There must be a big difference in-between them. The revenues generated by the top clubs in the premier league are more than what other clubs in Europe are getting.
Even the least club in the premier league is enjoying that same revenue. Compare to the top clubs in Spain, Bundesliga, and Seria A. It is a different story. For the clubs in other leagues to have the market. The signing of big players is a means of breaking the ice. This is something all clubs in Europe aim at. The signing of Messi to PSG and Ronaldo to the Saudi Arabia league. It is aim to increase watching views and merchandise.
The football industry has its shortcomings. The politics involved in the game is what fans and supporters might not take seriously. The governing body of European Championship Cups and Africa are signatories representing the investors in the industry. Players are not allowed to go on strike or to have a union. Nor join any union they want to join to defend their interest. Footballers are brands that are promoting the investor's and club owners' interests.
The divide-and-rule tactics in football are obvious. Payment of allowance is one of those benefits footballers need to have. In truth, it will be hard. In Nigeria, it is a worse situation. Footballers are owed salaries. Because of the challenges, many players in the local leagues aim to play in Europe. No exceptional. In reality, people's passion for watching football is now opium. Unless there is a political turnaround. Nothing will change. Club owners will continue to make the big money in the football industry.
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