English Premier League Pledges To Improve Grassroots Football

The Premier League "will double its investment in grassroots football from the start of next season," according to Alyson Rudd of the LONDON TIMES. The Premier League spends £52M ($77.3M) a year on community and schools projects and "this will rise to at least" £100M ($148.8M) per campaign. The deal "was announced as part of a new government strategy to bolster sports participation and create a more active nation." EPL CEO Richard Scudamore said, "We want to use the excitement of our competition to make a positive impact on as many as possible, especially young people." Although the report stresses the importance of watching live sport, the minister "will not insist on cheaper tickets being available at Premier League clubs." U.K. Sports Minister Tracey Crouch: "There’s a continuous dialogue and about away ticketing and season tickets. I understand why there is passion about Premier League prices, but it’s not the only football that you can watch around the country" (LONDON TIMES, 12/17).