New Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly proposed the idea of a Premier League All-Star game akin to ones that already take place across the Atlantic. However, not everyone is a fan of the idea.
Premier League All-Star North versus Premier League All-Star South, a game, the likes of which have never been seen before in the United Kingdom, but one which could have a huge impact on the British football pyramid – that is the idea Boehly proposed in his most recent public appearance.
The American claimed that hosting an All-Star weekend, akin to the ones that are held annually in the United States of America across several leagues, could generate a lot of revenue, which, in turn, would trickle down the leagues and help those in financial distress.
“People are talking about more money for the pyramid, in the MLB All-Star game this year we made 200m dollars from a Monday and a Tuesday,”
the American said, as part of his proposal.
“So we’re thinking we could do a North versus South All-Star game for the Premier League, for whatever the pyramid needed quite easily.”
Boehly’s idea was met with equal parts enthusiasm and apprehension by the football fraternity. However, the American already finds himself with a prominent critic.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp shot down the idea of an All-Star weekend, claiming that the eco-system within which football operates across the Atlantic is significantly different.
“He doesn’t hesitate, he doesn’t wait long! Oh great!
“When he finds a date for that he can call me! He forgets that in the big sports in America these players have four-month breaks so they’re quite happy to do a little bit of sport in these breaks. It’s completely different in football,”
he said.
Klopp also expressed doubts about the desire for an All-Star game, given the traditional rivalries in England. The German claimed that fans might not enjoy seeing players from clubs such as Manchester United and Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal, Liverpool and Everton, and other such rivalries, play together.
