Todd Boehly, chairman and co-owner of Chelsea FC, desires an All-Star Game for the English Premier League, similar to the NBA and MLB.
Tuesday during a finance conference in New York, Boehly, the leader of the consortium that purchased Chelsea from Russian businessman Roman Abramovich in May, suggested the suggestion.
The American stated that he had discussed the concept with other Premier League team owners and that he feels the game might help raise funds for English soccer as a whole.
In addition, he proposed a four-team relegation tournament. Currently, the three Premier League teams who finish last are automatically demoted.
“Ultimately, I hope the Premier League learns something from American sports,” said Boehly, co-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball. “And begins to wonder why we don’t hold a competition with the four worst sports teams. Why isn’t there a game for all-stars?
“People are discussing more money for the pyramid, and in this year’s MLB All-Star Game we made $200 million in two days,” he remarked. “Therefore, we believe we could easily organize a North vs South All-Star Game for the Premier League, or for whatever the pyramid requires.”
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September 13, 2022
When approached by media about Boehly’s concept of a Premier League All-Star Tournament, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp brushed it off, saying that the Harlem Globetrotters should play in the proposed game.
“[Boehly] forgets that in American sports these guys have four-month pauses, so they are pretty delighted that they can play a little bit of sport during these breaks,” stated the German coach following Liverpool’s 2-1 UEFA Champions League victory over Ajax on Tuesday night.
Football is a completely different sport.
He added: “Please do not judge my responses too harshly, but perhaps he can explain it to me at some time and help me locate a suitable date.
“I’m not confident that people want to witness that.”
Premier League officials declined to comment.
