By the end of 2023, over 230 clubs were part of multiclub ownership groups. That’s not just a lot – it’s a football revolution!
Let that sink in for a sec. Five years ago? Less than 100 clubs were in on this. Rewind to 2012, and it was under 40. Talk about a growth spurt that’d make even Erling Haaland jealous!
This isn’t just a fad, folks. It’s a full-blown phenomenon that’s here to stay, reshaping the beautiful game faster than you can say “VAR review.”
But here’s the million-dollar question: Is this explosive growth a wonder goal for football, or are we looking at a potential own goal for the sport we love?
Ready to dive in? Let’s kick off and explore why multiclub ownership is giving football fans everywhere a serious case of the jitters!
What’s This Multiclub Ownership Thing Anyway?
According to UEFA’s definition
“Multi-cub ownership is a situation where a party exerts control and / or decisive influence over more than one club”.
This is not to be confused with multi-club investment:
“A situation where a party has investment interests in more than one club (without exerting control or influence).”
Alright, let’s us make it a little simpler for you, Multiclub ownership is exactly what it sounds like – when one person or group owns more than one football club. Sounds simple, right? Well, it gets complicated pretty fast.
Imagine if your favorite local burger joint suddenly became part of a massive fast-food chain. The burgers might still taste good, but something feels different, doesn’t it? That’s kind of what’s happening in football right now.
Biggest examples of Multiclub Ownership
You’ve probably heard of some of these big players without even realizing it. Let’s talk about a few:
1. City Football Group: These are the folks who own Manchester City. But did you know they also have their fingers in pies all over the world? From New York City FC in the USA to Mumbai City FC in India, they’re spreading their sky-blue brand globally.
2. Red Bull Group: Yep, the energy drink guys. They’ve got RB Leipzig in Germany, Red Bull Salzburg in Austria, and even New York Red Bulls in the MLS. Talk about giving their brand wings!
3. Fenway Sports Group: The owners of Liverpool FC also have a stake in the Boston Red Sox baseball team. It’s like they’re playing Football Manager and MLB The Show at the same time!
What are the benefits of Multiclub Ownership?
Now, you might be wondering, “Why would anyone want to own more than one club?” Well, there are a few reasons, and some of them actually sound pretty cool at first:
Player Development:
Imagine having a whole network of clubs where you can send your young talents to get experience. It’s like having multiple farms to grow your star players.
Global Scouting:
With clubs in different countries, these owners can spot talent all over the world. It’s like having scouts in every corner of FIFA Career Mode, but in real life!
Brand Exposure:
More clubs mean more fans wearing your merch and watching your games. Ka-ching!
Knowledge Sharing:
If one club figures out a winning strategy, they can share it with their sister clubs. It’s like having a cheat code for football success.
Why is Multiclub ownership a Problem?
Hold up, young Messi! Before you start dreaming about owning a bunch of clubs yourself, let’s talk about why this is giving a lot of people, from fans to football authorities, a major headache.
Fairness Takes a Hit
Picture this: It’s the Champions League semi-final. Manchester City is playing against Girona FC. Exciting, right? But wait, both these clubs are owned by the City Football Group. Awkward…
This actually could happen! Both teams qualified for the Champions League this year. Now, even if everything is above board, can you imagine the rumors and suspicions if one team seems to play below their usual standard? It’s like having your two best friends compete for your attention – someone’s bound to feel shortchanged.
UEFA (that’s the big boss of European football) has rules to try and prevent conflicts of interest. But with clubs in different countries, it’s getting harder to keep things fair. It’s like trying to referee a match where some players are on the pitch, and others are playing via video call from another country!
Transfer Market Mayhem
Remember how exciting the transfer window used to be? The suspense, the last-minute deals, the “will they, won’t they” drama? Well, multiclub ownership is changing the game here too.
In 2023 alone, there were 202 transfers between clubs in the same ownership groups. That’s a lot of players moving around without really hitting the open market. It’s like trading Pokémon cards, but with real footballers!
Here’s where it gets tricky:
– Clubs could potentially manipulate transfer fees. Imagine if Manchester City wanted a player from Girona. Could they get a “family discount”?
– Talented players might get shuffled around these club networks, never really settling in one place.
– Smaller clubs in these groups might feel pressure to sell their best players to the bigger clubs in their “family.”
It’s not all bad – young players might get more opportunities to play at different levels. But it’s definitely changing how the transfer market works, and not everyone’s happy about it.
Fan Culture at Risk
Okay, this one’s close to home for many of us. Your club isn’t just a team; it’s a part of your identity, right? The chants, the rituals, the local legends – that’s what makes your club special.
But when a big group takes over, there’s a risk that some of that unique flavor gets lost. It’s like if your favorite local pizza place suddenly turned into a chain restaurant. The pizza might still be good, but it’s just not the same, is it?
Take Chelsea FC, for example. When Todd Boehly’s group took over, they started making big changes. Lots of new signings, managers coming and going – it’s left some fans feeling a bit lost. Where’s the long-term plan? What’s happening to the Chelsea we knew and loved?
This disconnect can be really tough for lifelong fans. Suddenly, decisions about your club are being made by people who might not understand its history or what it means to the local community. It’s like having a new step-parent who doesn’t get your family’s inside jokes.
Power Play: The Big Get Bigger
Here’s a wild stat for you: By the end of 2023, more than 230 clubs were part of multiclub ownership setups. That’s a lot of teams under the control of a relatively small number of groups.
Why does this matter? Well, it’s concentrating power in the hands of a few wealthy owners. Imagine if, in your school league, a few rich kids started buying up all the best teams. Suddenly, they’re making all the decisions about how the league is run. Not very fair, is it?
This concentration of power could lead to:
– Smaller, independent clubs struggling to compete
– A few big groups having too much influence over how football is governed
– The gap between rich and poor clubs getting even bigger
It’s like a game of Monopoly where a few players start with hotels on Mayfair and Park Lane. Sure, it’s impressive, but it doesn’t make for a very fun game for everyone else.
Tricky to Control:
Now, let’s spare a thought for the people trying to keep all of this in check. UEFA and FIFA (the big bosses of football) are scratching their heads trying to figure out how to regulate this trend.
Here’s the problem:
– Different countries have different rules. In England, you can’t own two Premier League clubs. But what about owning one in England and one in Spain?
– It’s hard to prove when clubs are making decisions to benefit their “sister” clubs in other countries.
– The football world is becoming more interconnected, but the rules are struggling to keep up.
It’s like trying to referee a match where some of the players are following Premier League rules, others are playing by La Liga rules, and a few are making up their own rules as they go along. Talk about a headache!
The Money Game: Financial Fair Play or Financial Foul Play?
Let’s talk money for a minute. Multiclub ownership groups often argue that they’re bringing more investment into football. And in some cases, that’s true. But it’s not all shiny new stadiums and record-breaking transfers.
Take the City Football Group, for example. While Manchester City reported record revenues of 826 million euros in the 2022/23 season (that’s a lot of matchday pies!), the group as a whole reported a pre-tax loss of over 120 million pounds. Over time, their total losses have piled up to more than 1.4 billion pounds!
Now, you might be thinking, “So what? They’re rich, they can afford it.” But here’s the thing – Financial Fair Play rules are supposed to stop clubs from spending way more than they earn. If clubs can shuffle money around within their group, it might make it harder to tell who’s playing by the rules.
It’s like if you and your friends had a “no pocket money” rule for buying football stickers, but then one kid’s parents kept sneaking them extra cash. Not exactly fair, is it?
The Global Game: Expansion or Exploitation?
One of the big arguments in favor of multiclub ownership is that it helps spread the game globally. And there’s some truth to that. Thanks to these ownership groups, we’re seeing more investment in leagues around the world.
For example:
– City Football Group has invested in clubs from Australia to India to the USA.
– Red Bull has helped put Austrian football on the map with Red Bull Salzburg.
This can bring better facilities, coaching, and opportunities to players in countries where football isn’t as developed. It’s like planting seeds of football all over the world.
But there’s a flip side:
– Are these clubs just becoming feeder teams for the big European sides?
– Is local talent being nurtured, or just exported?
– Are we creating a global football culture, or just spreading a few dominant brands?
It’s a tricky balance. We all want to see football grow, but not at the cost of losing what makes each football culture unique.
So, What’s the Solution?
Alright, we’ve thrown a lot of problems at you. But what about solutions? Well, it’s not simple, but here are some ideas floating around:
Stricter Regulations:
UEFA and FIFA could create tougher rules that apply across different countries. It’s like creating a universal rulebook for football, both on and off the pitch.
More Transparency:
Ownership groups could be required to be more open about their dealings. Every transfer, every loan, every financial transaction – all out in the open. It’s like having VAR, but for the business side of football.
Ownership Limits:
Maybe there could be a cap on how many clubs one group can own. It’s like saying, “Okay, you can have a few teams, but let’s not get carried away.”
Independent Oversight:
An independent body could be set up to monitor multiclub ownership groups. Think of it as a football watchdog, making sure everyone plays fair.
Protecting Club Identity:
Rules could be put in place to ensure that clubs maintain their unique identity and connection to local fans, even when part of a larger group.
FAQ
Can an owner have two teams in the Champions League?
UEFA rules are strict about clubs with the same owner. Two teams from the same group can’t play against each other in the same competition.
What are the benefits of multi club ownership?
The advantages are obvious. Clubs under the same group get benefits like stronger bargaining power in deals, a wider brand reach, shared resources (like scouting and knowledge), and more flexibility with player transfers and loans.
What is an example of a multi-club ownership?
One of the most famous examples of multi-club ownership is City Football Group, mostly owned by Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG). They bought Manchester City in 2008 and have since grown by investing in 12 more clubs worldwide.
Conclusion
Phew! We’ve covered a lot of ground here, haven’t we? Multiclub ownership is changing the face of football as we know it. It’s bringing new money, new opportunities, and new challenges to the beautiful game.
As young fans, players, or future football moguls, it’s important to understand these changes. They’re shaping the sport we love, for better or worse.
So, what do you think? Is multiclub ownership the future of football, or is it offside? Should we embrace this global football family, or fight to keep clubs independent?
Remember, at the end of the day, football is about passion, fair play, and the thrill of the game. Whether you’re cheering for a global brand or your local underdogs, that’s what really matters.
Keep your eyes on the ball, both on the pitch and off it. The game is changing, and we’re all part of it. So let’s make sure it changes in a way that keeps the spirit of football alive for generations to come!
What are your thoughts? Drop a comment below and let’s keep this conversation going. After all, the future of football belongs to us – the fans!
