Chapter 971 Carrot and Stick

Our ancestors have a saying, it is not the lack of wealth that is worrying, but the inequality of wealth.

In the understanding of many people, this means that we are not afraid of getting less, but we are afraid of getting unequal distribution.

But is it really like that?

Obviously not!

The real answer is that we are not afraid of getting less, but we are afraid of getting unfair distribution.

But the problem is that the word fairness is difficult to explain clearly, and everyone has his or her own understanding.

Michael Ashley's understanding of fairness is that a cake should be divided equally among all participants, otherwise it would be unfair to me.

So, as soon as Richard Scudmore outlined his reform plan, he immediately stood up and was the first to raise objections.

"Richard, in the overseas market, our 20 Premier League teams are a whole, a brand, made up of 20 teams. In this case, the profits gained should be equally shared by the 20 teams. Why should we adjust the distribution model?"

Michael Ashley's remarks were immediately recognized by several other teams.

There is no doubt that they all feel that the equal-division policy should continue.

"Isn't it? When it comes to developing overseas markets, we have also made a lot of efforts. We have participated in pre-season games and overseas Premier League games. Why can't we share it equally?"

"Richard, just because the big clubs have influence overseas and are favored by broadcasters, we can't take care of their interests. If that's the case, then who will take care of our interests?"

"Isn't it? The Premier League has always been about fairness in distribution. According to this new contract, the difference between the top team and the bottom team in the broadcasting fee sharing is about 60 million pounds, but in the current contract, the difference is only 30 million pounds. It is obviously widening the gap between the rich and the poor."

"If we continue to tilt our overseas market policies towards top teams, the gap between the rich and the poor will undoubtedly widen further. Will the Premier League still be the Premier League at that time? Do we have to cultivate oligarchic teams like Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich to be interesting?"

"Huh? Distribution? I would like to ask, if there were no mid- and lower-tier teams, would the giants still be able to be like they are now? Could they support the Premier League?"

Among the opposing voices, some were more rational, some were more extreme, and some even simply cursed.

Richard Scudmore was also in an awkward position standing on the stage.

"I object!" At this time, Arsenal's CEO Gazidis stood up.

"There is no doubt that we should properly control the gap between the rich and the poor, avoid the emergence of oligarchic teams like those in La Liga and Bundesliga, and shorten the gap in strength between the top teams and the lower teams, but the problem is that this should not be absolutely equalized!"

Gazidis looked at Michael Ashley, the owner of the Magpies who is definitely the most unpopular and troublesome of all the Premier League owners.

Arsenal has a large market overseas, and the reform will definitely be a great help to them.

"I would like to ask Mr. Ashley, you are right. In the overseas market, the Premier League is a brand consisting of 20 teams. But what I want to ask is, in the process of developing overseas markets, teams like Saints, Arsenal, and Manchester United have made greater contributions and invested more? Or is it you, Newcastle?"

No matter how confident Michael Ashley was, he dared not deny this issue.

Newcastle is only a little bit powerful in the UK, but when it comes to overseas markets, they are basically finished.

"I believe the answer needs no further explanation!" Seeing that he didn't say anything, Gazidis gave the result himself.

"In order to develop overseas markets, several of our teams went overseas to play warm-up matches..."

Michael Ashley suddenly interrupted at this time, and said sarcastically, "Everyone knows that you are paid for playing warm-up matches? Miracle Media pays you so much money every season, attracts so much sponsorship, and helps the Premier League develop overseas markets. This is probably the result of you taking advantage of the situation, right?"

There was a burst of laughter in the conference room.

Gazidis took a deep breath and nodded, "Yes, you are right. What about the star player?"

"We have brought in Higuain, Ozil, and other strong teams, stars with overseas market appeal and influence, and for this we have shouldered a much heavier salary burden than mid- and lower-tier teams. Do you also say that this is of no help to the overseas market?"

This put Michael Ashley in a difficult position.

But this guy was also a country bumpkin. After thinking for a moment, he immediately started laughing again.

"You bring in stars to improve your competitiveness, to strive for a better ranking, to get more income and share. And think about how much overseas sponsorship you have attracted. Have you suffered any loss?"

As soon as Michael Ashley finished speaking, someone nearby started to sneer at him.

"Haha, that's right. If you have the ability, don't bring in superstars. Let's play against each other at the same level and see who can beat who!"

"That's right, you guys wanted to bring in the stars, who forced you?"

But soon, Manchester United CEO Ed Woodward also spoke out.

"It's a bit boring to say that. If everyone is on the same level, can the Premier League still develop? Will sponsors and broadcasters still be interested in the Premier League?"

"That's right, overseas copyright income should be redistributed. If no one is willing, then fine, let's go our separate ways and sell it separately!" Manchester City's Mubarak was also angry.

Are these guys just trying to cheat?

What do you mean if you have the ability, why don’t you introduce superstars?

Isn't this just taking advantage of others?

"We can sell our products on our own, who is afraid of whom?"

"Yes, if you are capable, you can even sell the local copyrights!"

"That's right, why not just divide up the Premier League and let everyone live their own lives!"

You know what, Michael Ashley really is playing dirty.

"Michael, what do you think? Let's live our own lives. Who's afraid of whom?"

"That's right, if we really split up, don't cry!"

"Who's crying? Divide it if you can!"

"Everyone, if you have anything to say, please talk in a nice way and don't hurt each other..."

"Sit down right there, you're just a newly promoted team, you have no right to speak!"

"Hey, who do you think you are? Show some respect. What's wrong with the newly promoted team? Didn't you just say you would treat them equally? Why do you turn around and discriminate against the newly promoted team?"

Seeing the scene in chaos, Richard Scudmore was helpless.

It is obvious that several teams led by Michael Ashley are determined to fight to the death on this issue.

The reason is simple. For them, the difference in income between reforming and not reforming is a huge one.

As a butler, Scudmore was indeed helpless when he saw his bosses quarreling again.

He had no choice but to look to Yang Huan for help, but found that Young Master Huan had his head lowered, as if he was playing a game.

Oh my God, Master Huan, it’s already so late and the situation is critical, why are you still playing games?

The others finally noticed Young Master Huan and looked over at him one by one.

Isn’t it?

Everyone was arguing happily, but Southampton didn't say a word.

"Master Huan, what do you think in Southampton?"

Yang Huan then raised his head, glanced at the people around the round table, and smiled slightly, "What do you mean?"

Richard Scudmore was depressed. This matter was proposed by you, Young Master Huan. Now it has turned out like this. I can't do anything about it. You have to deal with it yourself.

"There is a great deal of disagreement about the distribution of overseas copyright income. What do you think in Southampton?"

"I didn't look at it much!" Yang Huan curled his lips and smiled slightly.

After hearing this, everyone, especially the powerful ones, couldn't help feeling disappointed.

Shouldn't Master Huan fully support the reform at this time? Why do you say that?

Michael Ashley and others looked gloating.

As the saying goes, those who are barefoot are not afraid of those who wear shoes. We have nothing. We are just single with you, and you want to bite me?

"However, I personally feel that with rights come obligations. Since everyone is committed to developing overseas markets, then in the future, the Premier League should treat all overseas promotional activities and competitions equally. We can't always let the mid- and upper-level teams go. We should give more opportunities to teams like Newcastle that have huge overseas influence."

As soon as Yang Huan finished speaking, the whole audience burst into laughter.

So that’s it, so that’s it!

Michael Ashley was suddenly embarrassed and gnashed his teeth in anger.

But the few clubs that originally supported him are now feeling depressed.

If you ask them to go overseas to promote activities and competitions, who will care about you?

The wealthy teams will have sponsorship, commercial income, and ticket revenue when they go out, so at least they won’t lose money.

But if it is a mid- to lower-level team going out, it would be hard to say.

"On the other hand, I personally think that since everyone should be treated equally, the Premier League should cancel its subsidy policy for youth training and infrastructure from now on, and at the same time strictly control and review the infrastructure and youth training system of existing Premier League teams. All unqualified teams will be disqualified from participating in the Premier League!"

As we all know, in the Premier League, the stadiums, training bases and youth training of the top teams are quite complete.

Ten years ago, Chelsea and Tottenham were both terrible, but now, both have been transformed and are quite good.

However, in the Premier League, there are still many teams whose training bases are dilapidated and old, many teams do not even have a complete youth training system, many teams' home facilities are quite poor, and even the most basic broadcasting facilities are quite backward.

In the past, the Premier League would set aside a portion of its funds each year to subsidize improvements in these areas, such as the renovation and repair of stadium broadcasting facilities.

But if it is cancelled, it means that the club will have to invest everything on its own.

As for the stadiums, training bases and youth training systems, these all have strict and clearly defined terms and conditions.

In the past, we could say we turned a blind eye, but now, well, since we want to pursue egalitarianism, we must treat everyone equally. If the strong teams don’t get subsidies, then you weak teams are not allowed to get subsidies either.

"This is not fair!" Michael Ashley objected on the spot.

"Why is it unfair?" Yang Huan asked with a sneer.

"You just said that we want to make it equal. If we can do it, why can't you do it? If you can't do this, then what qualifications do you have to talk about equal distribution?"

Mubarak nodded repeatedly as he listened, "Master Huan, you're right!"

"Well said, Master Huan!"

The point that Yang Huan grasped was that broadcasting fees only accounted for about 25% of Southampton's revenue.

Even for teams like Manchester United and Arsenal, the percentage is only around 30 to 35 percent.

But in many mid- and lower-level teams, their broadcasting fees account for 80% or even 90% of their total income, and they all rely on this income to support themselves.

Therefore, many things that the top teams can do are difficult for them to do.

If Yang Huan's proposal is implemented completely, many of their teams may be expelled from the Premier League.

Even Michael Ashley's Newcastle are pretty dangerous.

But this is only on the surface.

What Yang Huan secretly meant was to tell these people, including Michael Ashley, not to be greedy, just to show their appreciation, and there would be no loss for you in redistributing the income, it's just that the income increase brought by the new contract will be a little less.

If we really take it seriously, it will do no one any good.

If they break up, the top teams will live comfortably wherever they go, but it will be difficult for the mid- and lower-level teams to play in the Championship!

Of course, the beating should be done in moderation.

So, Master Huan just gave a big stick and immediately threw out a carrot.

He is very skilled in using the carrot and stick tactics!