How Will a Revamped Champions League Affect Spurs?

There’s been discussions recently about a revamped Champions League. How could this potentially affect Spurs and other clubs?

A couple of days ago, the Guardian had an article regarding the state of the current Champions League format and how it could be be altered to change into a “European Super League”.

If UEFA did decide to completely change the system, it would see eight teams be cut. Meaning instead of 24 teams, it would be 16, split up into two eight-team mini leagues. What’s more though, the group stage would double in terms of matches being played, from six to 14 matches.

The reason this is even being considered is because of a large disparity between the Premier League’s new domestic broadcasting deal which will generate £5.14 billion plus an extra £2.73 billion from overseas rights. This dwarfs their domestic European league counterparts as well as the winner of the Champions League.

Essentially, all 20 Premiership teams will be paid handsomely whether they’re crowned champions at the end of the season or relegated to the Championship.

Here’s a brief section from the Guardian’s article linked above:

"Next season, the side relegated bottom from the Premier League will receive £100m, as much as Chelsea received when claiming the title in May. The champions in May 2017 will be rewarded with prize-money of around £150m.When monies from ticket sales and commercial deals, each worth £15-20m, are factored in, then Aston Villa, who are likely to be relegated this season, would receive a reward of around £140m next season, nearly three times the budget of many continental clubs. La Liga’s Sevilla, for example, operate on around £50m a year. Winning the Champions League offers a reward of £40-50m, a third of the prize money received by next year’s Premier League champions."

Another interesting reason why a potential change in the Champions League format could happen is because of a 2008-09 group stage match that featured Real Madrid and Bate Borisov.

Despite the Belarusian club keeping up with Real Madrid even though they lost both games, UEFA doesn’t want to see low viewership figures being repeated in the future like this game had.

At the same time though, that had everything to do with the draw instead.

But what does this have to do with Spurs as well as other clubs who might not be considered elite even though they qualified for the Champions League?

ENFIELD, ENGLAND – MARCH 16: Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur dribbles with the ball during a training session ahead of the UEFA Europa League Round of 16, second leg match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Borussia Dortmund at White Hart Lane on March 16, 2016 in Enfield, England. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images) /

For starters, this perceived negative of low viewership figures is a problem for UEFA but not necessarily the fans.

Granted Real Mardid versus Bate Borisov might not be must-see TV, Spurs fans were over the moon when they had a great run in their first-ever Champions League season and took on Real Madrid in the quarter-finals five seasons ago.

If anything, maybe it’s elite clubs being elitist and only wanting to face the best.

But in reality, while low viewership is a problem in UEFA’s eyes, the major culprit is the disparity in prize money for a Champions League winner compared to the Premier League. Thus a change is entirely possible.

Of course this will help make the domestic leagues across Europe, most notably the Premier League, more wide open. Which will have more surprise teams challenging for a league title.

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Let’s say the Premiership’s “big five” want to put on a better showing in Europe than they have shown in recent seasons.

And with a lower playing field of 16 teams, but more games being played in the group stage. Clubs will have to decide which is more important.

Advancing and potentially winning the Champions League? Or claiming another Premier League title?

There’s also the the FA Cup and the League Cup as well. But generally speaking it’s either been the league title or Champions League for all five European leagues and their biggest clubs.

So there’s a good chance that teams like Leicester, Spurs, West Ham (fifth), Southampton (seventh) and Stoke City (eight) in the Premier League will have a shot to challenge for the league title more often if Champions League teams want to advance further in a European Super League.

Next: Is Second Place a Bad Result for Tottenham?

If that’s the case, a revamped Champions League could actually benefit Spurs and have them competing for silverware more often in the coming years, domestically.

Taking part in a European Super League would be nice as well, but if Tottenham, Leicester and other clubs can’t get in, should a change be made, surely they wouldn’t mind. Since the Premiership is already difficult as is.

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