The Premier League has reiterated its aim to complete a ‘New Deal’ with the EFL as quickly as possible, with solidarity payments to the 72 EFL teams, including Birmingham City, more than doubling.
The 10-year deal was made to EFL clubs last week following executive-level discussions between the leagues.
Documents seen by the Press Association show that it contains a commitment to enhance solidarity payments to the EFL by £163 million per year by 2028-29, more than doubling the current projection of £134 million. The deal also includes an additional £81 million for the current season.
The additional funds are believed to be linked to new cost-cutting agreements, a pledge to lower the Carabao Cup semi-finals to one leg to alleviate fixture congestion, and an agreement on the Saturday 3pm blackout ahead of the next domestic broadcast contract.
On Thursday, top-flight clubs held their first shareholders’ meeting since the season began in London and pledged to complete an agreement as soon as possible.A fair and generous proposition was made to EFL teams last week after ongoing conversations between league management, according to a league statement.The Premier League is committed to reaching a football-led solution as soon as possible so that more money can go to EFL clubs this season.”
The reference to a “football-led solution” alludes to the prospect that either league might invoke the Independent Football Regulator’s ‘backstop’ powers to enforce a solution if the leagues cannot agree on one themselves.
The IFR plans to publish its ‘State of the Game’ evaluation in the coming weeks. It will provide the regulator’s perspective on the financial health of the English game, and some believe the findings may enhance the EFL’s negotiating position.
However, EFL teams are thought to have been warned by league executives that triggering the backstop may result in them having to wait up to two years for a new agreement to be agreed, and that the conclusion would be unpredictable.
On Thursday, there was no feeling that the Premier League or its clubs saw the publishing of the ‘State of the Game’ assessment as a deadline to complete the deal.
EFL clubs have been asked to provide comments on the Premier League’s proposal ahead of more discussions early next month.
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