Premier league games should be screened in US

Dan · October 26, 2007

US 'should host Premier matches'

Manchester United and Chelsea have both toured in the USA

West Ham non-executive chairman Eggert Magnusson says the Premier League should consider switching games to the USA to boost its global profile.

American football's NFL is hosting a competitive fixture at Wembley on Sunday and the Hammers chief says the Premier League should follow suit.

"I can see that happening sooner rather than later - it would be good for the game," said Magnusson.

But a Premier League spokesman said there were no current plans for a move.

"I just don't see it happening," said the spokesman.

"With the way the league is structured - on a one-home, one-away basis - you would damage the integrity of the competition by fiddling with the dynamic of the League."

The Premier League has become home to several US-based owners, with Manchester United, Liverpool and Aston Villa all in American hands.

American billionaire Stan Kroenke has a 12.2% stake in Arsenal, and believes that the financial incentives of breaking into the USA market will eventually force the Premier League to act.

"There is probably a good chance of getting a game to go over there because both owners could agree to it," he said.

"I think there is a reasonable chance it could take place in the future.

"If the Premier League agreed to it you would have it done. It's something that would have to evolve over time - it would be great if it could be Arsenal."

Sunday's American football match between the Miami Dolphins and the New York Giants will be the first competitive NFL match played outside the Americas.

NBA Basketball also featured in London in October

But NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said he was not concerned about English football as a serious rival to his sport in the USA.

"We have a number of sports played in the USA and the strength of American football in the USA is extraordinary and we work to strengthen that every day," he told BBC Sport.

"We're very comfortable that our fan base will continue to be loyal to us and will only get stronger. We just want to increase our interest outside the USA.

"David Beckham is not a worry, but he's a great player."

Meanwhile, American billionaire Robert Kraft - who came close to buying Liverpool in 2005 - said he is still interested in buying a Premier League club.

"We do still have an interest in playing in the Premier League," he said.

"It's a wonderful and global game. I love the passion of the football fans here in the United Kingdom.

"People in the United Kingdom and London especially are really avid sports fans. We'd like to close our deal and then talk about it. It's still something we have an avid interest in."

Cannot think of anything worse for the game.

ManxRed · October 26, 2007

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