New Premier League £915m six-year deal that will impact Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham delayed
A six-year deal that would see around £1billion from the Premier League clubs transferred to the English Football League has been hit with a delay
Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham are set to be impacted by a new six-year deal that will see nearly £1billion transferred to the English Football League. The deal has been proposed by a new independent football regulator – but clubs have reiterated their concerns about the proposal.
A report from Sky News has revealed the details of the latest proposal for a redistribution of funds from English football’s top division throughout the rest of the professional football pyramid. The deal outlined to Premier League clubs this week would run for a total of six years until 2029.
The proposal would begin immediately with £88million being invested into the English Football League (EFL) in the first year, rising to £190million in the 2028/29 season – the final 12 months of the deal. The scheduled payment would increase season after season with the report stating that payments of £101million, £174million, £178million and £184million would be transferred between 2024 and 2028, as per the forecasts shared with Premier League clubs including Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester United.
However, there is said to be growing unrest among some top-flight clubs about agreeing to such a significant payment to the EFL without assurances about the future regulation of the sport. Sky News’ report adds that ministers have pledged to establish an independent watchdog which would issue licences to every club operating in the top five tiers of English football.
The upcoming King’s Speech is said to included legislation paving the way for the regulator to start work in the sport. It is not just Premier League clubs that are anxious about the new proposal – the likes of Leicester City, Fleetwood Town and Sunderland also said to have been alarmed by some of the regulatory proposals.
A meeting was held today (Thursday, September 21) after talks were held earlier this week between club representatives from the Premier League and the EFL, as well as executives from the two competition organisers themselves. Discussions have been taking place since last year but an agreement is yet to have been reached.
Issues such as the parachute payments made to Premier League clubs which are relegated to the Championship have proved to be a problem during discussions between all parties involved. There also remains uncertainty amongst Premier League clubs about how the money would be allocated between the 20 clubs – before being invested into lower divisions.
Last month, Richard Masters – the Premier League’s chief executive – told the 20 clubs that he was “hopeful that a resolution can be reached quickly”.
