Premier League clubs are "set for a battle" with "The Big Six" over int'l TV rights at Thursday's annual shareholders' meeting, according to John Percy of the London TELEGRAPH. Representatives from the 20 top-flight clubs will meet in Harrogate and "high on the agenda will be the row over elite clubs' demands for a greater share of money from games shown overseas." It is estimated that around £3B ($3.9B) of the current £8.3B ($10.8B) package is earned from overseas rights, and shared equally, but the likes of Man City and Liverpool are "pushing for a larger slice of the cash." The other top four clubs, ManU, Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham, are also "expected to argue that the present allocation is unfair, claiming their popularity sells Premier League football worldwide." The Premier League "will require 14 votes from 20 for the proposals to stand any chance of success and an argument for change, yet it is understood a number of the less established clubs outside the top six will strongly oppose it." Former Liverpool CEO Ian Ayre "generated controversy six years ago by arguing that the top clubs were being short-changed." He "famously" said, "In Kuala Lumpur, there isn’t anyone subscribing to ESPN to watch Bolton." Ayre's view is "almost certain to be shared by the current Liverpool hierarchy." However, the argument is "certain to be unpopular with other clubs -- as it has been at past meetings -- and it could be a heated debate" (TELEGRAPH, 6/7).
