La Liga clubs were not consulted over US move – Real Valladolid

Real Valladolid president Carlos Suarez claims that Spanish clubs were not informed by La Liga of a deal the league set up to play some league matches in the United States.

On Thursday, La Liga president Javier Tebas confirmed plans to play Spanish top-flight matches in the United States, though it remains to be seen whether this aspect of the marketing deal will kick in as early as this season.

Though Suarez says clubs were not briefed on the development by La Liga officials ahead of its announcement, he see how playing games in America could increase the league’s exposure to foreign audiences and close the commercial gap with the Premier League.

“There hasn’t been a consultation as such with the clubs,” Suarez said, according to Football Espana.

“But I think if you asked the rest of the colleagues they wouldn’t see it with bad eyes, and once it is explained to us, we will see it better.

“I think it’s good to play games in the United States. In terms of the process we are having to expand and cut down the gap on the Premier League, which is still ahead of us, it’s good.

“I think provided everything is coordinated well, it could be a very good thing.”

How unprecedented is La Liga’s decision?

The idea of holding domestic league games in foreign countries has been around for a while. The National Football League (NFL) in the United States was the first major sporting organisation to take domestic league games overseas.

The NFL International series has hosted regular-season American football games overseas since 2007, most notably taking place at Wembley Stadium. In 2015 the NFL agreed a 10-year deal to host at least two games at Tottenham Hotspur’s new stadium every year.

La Liga becomes the first major European football league to do this. It remains to be seen if the wealthiest league in the world, the Premier League, will follow suit.

Real Valladolid have returned to La Liga after a four-year absence. They take on Barcelona next Saturday.

The post La Liga clubs were not consulted over US move – Real Valladolid appeared first on Squawka News.

From Squawka NewsSquawka News https://ift.tt/2vVJ9oR