Finance guru: ‘Significant’ changes imminent as Newcastle United cosy up to ‘Big Six’
The voting dynamics at Premier League shareholder meetings will shift significantly if Newcastle United make it their policy to side with the so-called Big Six.
That is the view of finance expert Doctor Dan Plumley, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the Magpies’ potential role as kingmaker behind the scenes at Premier League HQ.
The top-flight’s constitution requires the assent of 14 or more clubs to pass new legislation, and the Big Six often vote as one given their shared interests.
But the Daily Mail reported on Friday (7 October) that Newcastle are increasingly siding with the Big Six, meaning that in many cases they not have a veto over new proposals.
The Magpies were bought by the Saudi Public Investment Fund one year ago and have since made no secret of their plans to disrupt the Premier League orthodoxy.
Plumley explained why the latest developments could mark a turning point within the Premier League’s corridors of power.
“It will be significant,” the Sheffield Hallam University expert told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“We have seen this already throughout the years. With international TV rights, they managed to change it to a merit-based system from one that split the money up equally.
“So, even without that bloc of seven, the big clubs have managed to exert their influence on some of the others to get them to vote in their favour. Having Newcastle in there helps with that equation.
“I don’t think it’s any surprise to see that given the rhetoric at the time of the takeover, their financial power and where they want to get to.
“If Newcastle vote with those six all the time, you have effectively got a veto there. It will be interesting to see how that plays out in the future.
“The only way you can change that is to change the voting principles and governing rights, and that’s a league decision.”
In other news, pundit backs Newcastle United to complete Memphis Depay signing after £17m update.