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La Liga President Javier Tebas has once again voiced his strong opposition to the latest developments surrounding the European Super League, now rebranded as the Unify League. Following a recent announcement by A22 Sports Management regarding a new competition format involving 96 clubs, Tebas expressed grave concerns about the potential economic impact on national leagues and clubs.
Tebas, a long-time critic of the Super League concept, took to social media to share his thoughts, stating that the proposed changes “endanger the economic stability of the national leagues and their clubs.” He criticized A22 for continuously altering their competition formats without thorough analysis or consideration of the broader implications for football.
A22’s new proposal
The revised Unify League proposal aims to create a pan-European club competition structured around four divisions, with promotion and relegation among them. This new format is a significant departure from the original Super League model, which faced widespread backlash and was ultimately shelved in 2021. A22 claims that this new structure will enhance fan engagement and provide free streaming options for matches.
However, Tebas remains skeptical. He likened A22’s frequent changes in competition formats to producing churros—Spanish pastries known for their quick and repetitive preparation. “They produce formats as if they were churros,” he remarked, emphasizing that such superficial adjustments fail to address the core issues affecting football today.
Economic concerns
At the heart of Tebas’s criticism is the belief that the Unify League’s television model would disproportionately benefit larger clubs at the expense of smaller ones. He argued that this approach threatens not only the financial stability of national leagues but also undermines competitive balance within football. “The television model they propose only favors the big clubs (and they know it…),” he stated.
Tebas’s concerns echo sentiments shared by various stakeholders in football who fear that a Super League-style competition could lead to a widening financial gap between elite clubs and those in lower tiers. This disparity could ultimately diminish the overall quality and competitiveness of domestic leagues.
The broader impact on european football
The ongoing debate surrounding the Super League highlights deeper issues within European football, including rising costs for fans and a congested fixture schedule for players. A22’s CEO, Bernd Reichart, has acknowledged these challenges but insists that their proposal aims to address fan dissatisfaction with current competitions.
Despite these claims, Tebas remains unconvinced. He warned that if implemented, such a league could disrupt the entire European football ecosystem. “We have to be careful because the ultimate goal of the Super League is to destroy the European football ecosystem,” he cautioned.
