Licensing Industry

This is a money-making idea for the money-men, and another example of the shift from fan-focus to profit-focus. Playing an extra fixture each year overseas will benefit chairman and shareholders but certainly not the fans. And the fact that the result would count toward league standings is unbelievable! If clubs want to faff about with overseas jollies then they should do it in the off season.

From a licensing point of view in makes perfect sense. There's a lot of talk that only the big clubs will benefit (and certainly it's only Man U and Liverpool that have established overseas fanbases), but think about it - no one outside the United States who buys NFL or MLB clothes cares if its the Giants or the Packers or whatever - if it looks nice they'll buy it. And hell, there was even once a Rams NFL team, so Derby should do just fine!!

It's a daft, US-led initiative. Hopefully it will never happen. Exhibition games overseas are fine but not competitive matches because that would destroy the ethos of English football and the whole house of cards could come tumbling down. Short term it might hint at a new revenue stream, long term it would spell the end.

U.K. Football has been TV not fan focused for many years. 50 000 in the stadium 500m world wide. Who cares where the games are played as long as they are televised. Another good reason not to limit overseas players in U.K. teams. Better to watch brilliance every game than sacrifice that for 6 WC games every 4 years. PLUS every team in the league will get an overseas game with the top teams seeded. Alan.

Ridiculous idea. The UK becomes more US-led every day.