The Premier League is in talks with clubs about a "new pre-season tournament" to be held in the U.S., according to Martyn Ziegler of the LONDON TIMES. The plan would be for six Premier League clubs to "take part in the competitions at several cities" in the U.S. in order to "promote the Premier League in what is now its most valuable single overseas market." The league has operated a "similar summer tournament in the Far East in previous years called the Asia Trophy." One proposal for the U.S. tournament would be for the clubs to be "involved on a rotational basis," with "income from TV rights and ticket sales shared across the league." However, there are "potential clashes with clubs’ own pre-season tours" to the U.S., as "many of the Big Six clubs often play summer matches there" (LONDON TIMES, 10/17).
ATTRACTING INTEREST: THE ATHLETIC's David Ornstein wrote the details are "yet to be finalised" but it is "anticipated the event will occur in late July." It could see around six clubs "divided across two groups, each playing round-robin friendlies in multiple cities on the east and west coasts of the U.S." The event would "benefit from Premier League branding and would be expected to sell out major stadiums," while also "attracting plenty of interest from sponsors and generating significant broadcast rights deals." Considering there is "no major men’s international tournament next year," it is "hoped those teams involved will have their most high-profile squad members available." At present, 14 of the current 20 sides "appear keen to participate." The intentions of the "so-called 'Big Six' are less clear," but there is "optimism that at least one of them would decide to join the project" (THE ATHLETIC, 10/17).
