Finance guru: Liverpool causing ‘tension’ behind the scenes at Premier League HQ
Liverpool are likely causing “tension” behind the scenes within the Premier League as they push for the opportunity to sell their own media rights.
That is the view of finance expert Doctor Dan Plumley, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the top flight’s potential move towards an OTT model.
As quoted by The Athletic last Wednesday (3 August), Premier League CEO Richard Masters revealed that a move to a direct-to-consumer service is on the table.
Liverpool have long been keen to cut out the middle man and sell their own content without having to go through the Premier League.
This was one of the stipulations in both the Project Big Picture and Super League breakaway plots, both of which saw Liverpool act as a key architect.
Plumley claims that, while the move to a league-wide OTT model could benefit the division as a whole, Liverpool will be keen to go one step further and bypass the Premier League altogether.
“Put it this way, if converting to an OTT model creates growth, clubs will be happy because it’s more than what they are getting currently,” the Sheffield Hallam University expert told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“But the tension with it is the big clubs want to do it themselves because they have got the biggest fanbase and know they can generate more than the league can on a central deal.
“The trade-off in that is that it works for the big clubs but it doesn’t work for the other clubs in the league who can’t command that type of fee.
“The league should protect some of that. That’s the right thing to do. But there is always going to be that tension because the likes of Liverpool think they can do it better themselves.”
In other news, ex-Fifa official claims Premier League may launch investigation after “surprise” Jurgen Klopp reveal at Liverpool.