New Chelsea owner Todd Boehly expressed some eyebrow-raising ideas during the SALT conference on Tuesday, including a Premier League all-star game. It’s a concept that Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp quickly laughed off as a ridiculous idea.
The American businessman rattled off a plethora of topics. In addition to the all-star game, Boehly suggested a playoff system to determine relegation from England’s top flight. Both represent ideas commonplace in American sports.
“Ultimately, I hope the Premier League takes a little bit of a lesson from American sports,” claimed Boehly. “MLB did their all-star game in L.A. this year. We made $200 million from a Monday and a Tuesday.”
It remains to be seen how far these talks will go with other Premier League owners.
Boehly targets Premier League All-Star Game, more changes
Boehly bought Chelsea this summer for around $2.8 billion up front, while investing another $2 billion in further development. Purchasing the west London club was not the American’s first entry in sports ownership. The 48-year-old businessman previously bought a stake in Major League Baseball’s Los Angeles Dodgers and the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks.
Along with Boehly’s plans to Americanize the Premier League, he also hinted at buying other soccer teams in Europe. “We have talked about having a multi-club model, I would love to continue to build out the footprint,” Boehly stated.
#𝗦𝗔𝗟𝗧𝗡𝗬 has got a bit of everything. #ChelseaFC chairman Todd Boehly offers a fascinating glimpse into his global vision for the English Premier League club. pic.twitter.com/wa9aBHuGKe
— SALT 🇺🇦 (@SALTConference) September 13, 2022
“I think our goal is to make sure that we can show pathways to young superstars to get on the Chelsea pitch while getting them real game time. And, to me, the way to do that is through another club somewhere in a really competitive league in Europe.”
Manchester City and Red Bull both have similar setups with multiple clubs in one ownership. City Football Group currently has 12 teams across the world under their umbrella including Manchester City, New York City FC, Melbourne City FC, Troyes AC, Girona FC, and the recently acquired Palermo FC. Red Bull, on the other hand, owns RB Leipzig, RB Salzburg, and New York Red Bulls.
Boehly did not make any particular suggestions on which other European clubs he may be interested in acquiring. Nevertheless, teams in Belgium and Portugal could be considered.
PHOTO: IMAGO / Action Plus
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Turfit
September 16, 2022 at 7:45 am
All-Star games are outdated. The last Pro-Bowl was not even a sell-out after moving it away from Hawaii because they could not sell it out. Baseball has continued to try different things to keep fans interested such as the home-run derby and the league team that wins, gets home field advantage in the world series but with little success.
Michael F
September 16, 2022 at 9:55 am
Exactly. Good take Turfit.
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And could you imagine all-star EPL players playing in such a game? No one would bother playing defense or making contact to avoid injury in a meaningless game. It would be a horrible watch.
Hans
September 16, 2022 at 10:07 am
A quote from Gabe Marcotti:
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“The suggested All-Star games, the NFL’s version has seen viewership decline since 2011, the NBA’s was the lowest since at least 2007 and, in baseball viewership was at a record low and one-fifth of what it was in 1980 maybe the lesson to learn from American sports is that fans don’t want this. Why? Because they like to see competitive games, not exhibitions.”
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For me the key is that Boehly’s proposals are exhibition games which no one wants in the UK because the awareness of the EPL does not need to be raised in the UK and globally you have fierce fan support for their teams. Summary it is a nonsensical idea that reeks of cluelessness.
Michael F
September 16, 2022 at 10:17 am
Not to belabor it too much… but I am mystified over those that defended Boehly here in this space over the merit of his proposal. He is indeed very clueless to suggest an all-star match for the EPL based on all the matches players have on their schedule already! I mean you had many players complain about the Nations League matches they had to participate in a very jammed schedule. This is exactly what Juergen Klopp was defending… the players. And yet we have those I. This space here saying Juergen is clueless?! What?!!
locofooty
September 15, 2022 at 2:12 pm
All Star matches in football should keep happening for the purpose intended: To raise awareness for social issues and to raise funds for certain causes and communities.
There should definitely be more of those All Star matches for the right reasons, but the Confeds keep creating meaningless tournaments and the number of matches keep going up. There were so much more All Star matches back in the 90’s and early 2000’s than there are now, World vs. Europe, Ronaldo friends vs. Zidane friends was played for many years. Dumbass ideas like an all star match within one league should be just that, dumbass ideas that never materialize.
TK
September 14, 2022 at 7:55 am
But EA Sports already gives out a Team of the Season! But seriously, in Spain, their idea was to expand the super cup and play it in Saudi Arabia. So that’s what England’s competition is doing…
Eric T
September 13, 2022 at 11:29 pm
Lots of melodramatic comments here. Seems like a lot of people have skipped over Boehly’s primary point about it generating massive revenue for the football pyramid. I guess people would rather have things like the Nations League or Finalissma instead…
Mercator
September 14, 2022 at 6:46 am
I know it’s absurd. Here is FIFA and UEFA making up random tournaments clogging up the schedule, no one says a thing. An American suggest one all star game and people lose their minds, even though it would be a great way to earn money for lower clubs without clogging the schedule if it brings in anywhere near the $200 million Bohley referenced. It’s evil to try to make a bunch to create a revenue stream for lower league teams, but when FIFA or UEFA do it poorly, adding tons of games for very little revenue, no one says much.
It’s absurd now watch when they say Chelsea’s feeder clubs are ruining the game, like Roman didn’t have a loan army and city don’t have a dozen clubs around the world already. The blame will fall at the feet of the idiot American. This is quite typically European though, proposing potential solutions is not welcome, the proper approach is to critique everything and do nothing, so when things inevitably fall apart one can’t be blamed.
I look forward to counter proposals to raise revenues to keep the lower leagues afloat. I’m sure Klopp and the like have tons of ideas.
Michael F
September 15, 2022 at 9:55 am
I think the issue with such a suggestion raised is the concern that these suggestions go too far and go beyond the initial premise of ‘just’ an all-star game. He also suggested a playoff, which definitely mirrors an American sports and no one in England and even soccer fans here following EPL want.
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I am an American and I follow the NFL and the EPL but the reason I find the domestic structure of European soccer so appealing is because it is so different, and I want to see no part of it changing.
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I firmly believe most are afraid of it shifting to a more American model due to such American influence. One thing usually leads to another. Be careful what you wish for. Aside from that, the mere suggestion of an preseason all-star game in itself is harmless. But it’s the notion of change toward American way of structure that concerns fans and I totally get it.
Mercator
September 15, 2022 at 12:57 pm
This is so ridiculous though because the EPL is the most Americanized European league, and that’s why it’s the global leader! They set up a separate league from the top division and split tv revenues in a very socialist way – this is exactly how US sports are run and it’s quite a good business because it ensures a base level of competition. Was that ruining the English game?
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I’m not actually in favor of his suggestions. Maybe I would watch a EPL all star v La Liga all star or something, but north v south is ridiculous and there isn’t space in the schedule. But he is the only one thinking of how to make some money for the lower leagues – everyone else seems to agree no sharing more money and no new revenue streams. An all star game is not fundamentally altering the English game in any way – it’s not a super league with no relegation (he is the one major owner who can legitimately claim to have nothing to do with the super league).
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Instead of pointing out the flaws with the idea or continuing the discussion on how to better fund the lower league, most of the commentary is just yelling about Americanization. A lot of critique and no substance or positive contribution. I would love for Jurgen to suggest how the lower leagues should be better funded – maybe he can suggest FSG share a bit more instead of mocking other owners for throwing out ideas.
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In fairness, I thought Richards on CBS had intelligent and thoughtful commentary on the topic and Kartiks article is good as well. But most commentary is xenophobic yelling.
Michael F
September 15, 2022 at 1:07 pm
@Mercator Funny how you spin things to suit your argument. How is the EPL any different than Laliga, Bundesliga or Serie A etc… with its pyramid structure of promotion/relegation?? And that is VERY different than the structure of American sports. The only similarity is the TV money revenue they gobble up. Beyond that, your points stressed are ridiculous.
Mercator
September 16, 2022 at 6:02 am
Bohley is not try to get rid of relegation, that was all the OTHER major owners. Bohley just suggested an all star game and people act like he is suggesting changing the rules of the game so you can use your hands. It’s ridiculous
Michael F
September 16, 2022 at 9:23 am
Your quote: “ Bohley is not try to get rid of relegation, that was all the OTHER major owners. Bohley just suggested an all star game and people act like he is suggesting changing the rules of the game so you can use your hands. It’s ridiculous”
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Why are you on this crusade for Boehly? And how many times will you say it’s ridiculous?? Like I said, it is bizarre you are taking this much space defending this guy in an attempt to blast all those that don’t care for his proposal. Give it a rest.
Michael F
September 15, 2022 at 1:19 pm
@Mercator. i also find it very strange that you do not favor the suggestion by Boehly, yet slam Klopp for disagreeing with the suggestion and spend a lot of space making a point about how Klopp is out of line. Hilarious.
Mercator
September 16, 2022 at 6:01 am
Yes my issue is not with the opposition to his plan. I’m not in favor of it either. But instead of getting reasoned takes as to why this may not work (scheduling etc), people just shout America as if that is evidence it’s a terrible idea. They don’t attack the merits of his proposal. Like I said I think Kartik has a great article discussing the topic with some nuance. Richards did as well. In contrast Henry, my absolute favorite player, said this is Europe that’s not how we do things. That may be true but that’s not a serious critique, it’s just xenophobia.
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I appreciate that Bohley is throwing out ideas to raise revenues for the lower leagues. I appreciate he clearly thinks Chelsea’s success and sustainability is dependent on the success and sustainability of the league as whole.
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It’s also a cultural thing. the guy paid 5 billion for the club and there is an expectation he sit around for years before earning the right to make suggestions. In fact, you want the people with a different mindset to throw out opinions like this. If it’s a dumb idea don’t do it and explain why. But maybe the ideas aren’t crazy and you need an outsider to break the group think that occurs. He came in and is spitballing how to raise revenue for the lower leagues – I don’t agree with the ideas but I appreciate him getting the discussion going. But no one wants to discuss or put forward their own proposals, just bash the guy for trying to push things forward. It’s ridiculous.
Michael F
September 16, 2022 at 9:15 am
I think the timing of his proposals is bad. The guy has been owner of an EPL club for only a few months. Earn credibility first and take it in. I don’t believe anyone is listening to what he has to say at this time, certainly the by the fact only Klopp had a brazenly chuckled response.
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And quite honestly, I don’t understand how you take so much time trying to defend Boehly. That is bizarre to say the least. As Gabe Marcotti stated on his podcast, NONE of the proposals he made is nothing new at all. And yet Boehly begins his proposal by saying… “you can learn something from American sports”. Not anyway to endear yourself as the new kid on the block. Didn’t think it through at all.
Michael F
September 16, 2022 at 9:28 am
And BTW… like you, I think an all-star EPL match is a stupid idea regardless of merit. You don’t think other owners propose ideas on the merit to make more money for lower league clubs? C’mon! An all-star game is nothing but gimmicky. It’s also another exhibition game that very little care about and where a player can get hurt. This is a contact sport.
Wan Ormes
September 13, 2022 at 8:02 pm
Dumb ass…
Michael F
September 15, 2022 at 1:06 pm
Funny how you spin things to suit your argument. How is the EPL any different than Laliga, Bundesliga or Serie A etc… with its pyramid structure of promotion/relegation?? And that is VERY different than the structure of American sports. The only similarity is the TV money revenue they gobble up. Beyond that, your points stressed are ridiculous.
MarkB
September 13, 2022 at 7:52 pm
Overweight, overbearing and in over his head. Just shut up and run your own disfunctional team Boehly. As an American, this just reinforces my belief that the rest of the world views so many of us as exceptionalist buffons.
MarkB
September 13, 2022 at 7:53 pm
Buffoons even. No insult meant to GIgi.
Eric T
September 13, 2022 at 11:30 pm
Grasping for straws…
MarkB
September 13, 2022 at 7:26 pm
Blatant American exceptionalism front and center.
Ivan
September 13, 2022 at 9:42 pm
What a clown.
He will be just another irrelevant footnote in about 3 years time, if not less.
Keep quiet, boy!
jason
September 13, 2022 at 4:53 pm
No to everything this guy is saying
JP
September 13, 2022 at 3:52 pm
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA, what a joke. Maybe he can also propose television time outs and 2 minute warnings and a playoff system where 8 or the 20 clubs qualify to compete for the championship and so on. As an American, I enjoy that these leagues AREN’T Americanized. It’s refreshing it’s all about the competition on the field for those 2 hours and minimal commercialization. That is if you ignore the kit and fields ads of course, but far less intrusive than commercial breaks, playoffs, and useless showcases like an All Star game simply to generate more revenue.
Russ
September 13, 2022 at 10:57 pm
A PR disaster .. A classic American sport “owner centered” view of the world and strategy .. What he doesn’t realize is that, while he may own CFC from a financial perspective, he doesn’t own the club as a whole .. In British football it’s the fans that own the clubs .. As for “knowing people” he couldn’t be more wrong .. Because he just demonstrated he doesn’t know “culture” .. What next? Move Chelsea to somewhere else in Europe .. or maybe even the US?!
Eric T
September 13, 2022 at 11:29 pm
What are you even talking about?