Arsenal won Saturday's Barclays Asia Trophy final in front of 52,107 spectators, according to Abilash Nalapat of ESPN. This week it will be Liverpool's turn to "woo possibly an even bigger crowd." But "where does that leave unfashionable Stoke City?" The club received "very little local support" during the Asia Trophy. Does this mean that Stoke, and other mid- and lower-league teams, "are not important stakeholders in Asia's most popular sports competition?" Far from it, according to EPL CEO Richard Scudamore. He said, "Many people think that only the big four or five Premier League clubs are interested in Asia. I am afraid to say their understanding is not very accurate. Asia provides the biggest chunk of the international broadcast rights revenue of the Premier League. This is divided equally among all 20 clubs unlike the U.K. domestic rights where filters such as league position and television appearances also come into play." He added, "Further growth in Asia's interest in the league will be crucial for the middle- and lower-table clubs as well. It is not just the big clubs who are interested in Asia because of their enormous supporter groups." During the ongoing rights cycle, which has one more season to run, Asian rights have risen 77% from '10-13, compared to a "corresponding increase" of 55% for all int'l territories (ESPN, 7/21).
