The Premier League’s elite clubs "are discussing whether TV rights should be sold on a club-by-club basis in a move that threatens the present system," which distributes billions equally, according to Paul Joyce of the LONDON TIMES. Outgoing Liverpool CEO Ian Ayre said that the issue of whether "the top flight’s biggest clubs" should receive more money "is still being debated," which will concern smaller clubs that "would stand to lose out." Ayre, who announced that he has "brought forward plans to leave Liverpool in the summer and will now depart at the end of the month," added that the present equality "was one of the factors responsible for the decline of the fortunes of English clubs in Europe." The break-up of the broadcasting deal was mooted by him in '11, "but was denounced as a way of the rich clubs getting richer." However, Ayre revealed that the matter "remains under discussion." He said, "I think the Premier League is the beacon of success for all league football. The equalities that exist in it are right to a degree, as is the way it’s governed -- I’m talking about the Premier League rather than English football" (LONDON TIMES, 2/4). In London, Andy Hunter reported the Premier League’s existing deal is worth £10.4B ($13B) to members -- comprising £5.3B ($6.6B) from domestic broadcasting and £5.1B ($6.4B) for overseas rights -- and "shared equally with the exception of prize-money for final league positions." When he "first broached the subject" in '11, Ayre "advocated the individual TV contracts enjoyed by Barcelona and Real Madrid in La Liga as an example for the Premier League to follow." Ayre’s argument six years ago, "one that continues to shape his outlook," was that "in Kuala Lumpur there isn’t anyone subscribing to Astro, or ESPN to watch Bolton, or if they are it’s a very small number. Whereas the large majority are subscribing because they want to watch Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea or Arsenal" (GUARDIAN, 2/3).
