Todd Boehly calls for an All-Star game
To increase broadcasting income, the new Chelsea chairman has announced intentions to overhaul several aspects of English football, including a play-off to decide who stays in the Premier League and who plays there as well as an all-star game similar to those played by the NBA and MLB.
The Blues’ new co-controlling owner, who also owns stock in the Major League Baseball’s Dodgers and the NBA’s Lakers, said at a New York conference that he had already discussed the concept with Premier League rivals.
Sunday’s match between Chelsea and Liverpool has been postponed owing to a shortage of police officers in the aftermath of the Queen’s passing. The postponement of Sunday’s game follows the complete cancellation of last weekend’s football schedule, leaving Liverpool with two matches to cram into an already packed schedule with the World Cup in the midst.
Therefore, Klopp wasn’t too taken by Boehly’s idea that the Premier League implement an All-Star game involving clubs from the north and south of England, a la the United States, earlier in the day.
Boehly discussed Chelsea’s firing of Thomas Tuchel and unveiled ambitious plans for the Blues’ future while speaking at the SALT thinking leaders conference in New York.
Given that American sports do not interact with the concept of relegation, which sometimes gives rise to allegations of clubs “tanking” for a better draught selection, Boehly was asked what he thought about the subject. He responded: “The economics of moving into the Championship are fundamentally different.
“When you enter the Championship, those statistics fall precipitously. Therefore, no one is considering tanking, and those games for relegation get some of the most attention.
When questioned about the opinions of his fellow football club owners, Boehly added: “Everyone loves the notion of increased money for the league.
“I believe there is a true cultural component, and I believe evolution will occur.”
Following a 100-day evaluation of their brief ownership of the Blues by new owners Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, Chelsea fired Tuchel last week.
Graham Potter has been hired as the team’s new head coach on a five-year deal by Chelsea’s new management, who are keen to have a new manager take over for the long haul.
Boehly acknowledged Tuchel’s resignation was motivated by ideological and philosophical differences for the first time in public.
Chelsea was led by Tuchel to victory in the 2021 Champions League and the 2022 Club World Cup, but the German taskmaster was unable to win over the club’s new owners.
