League One football in the US anyone?
Birmingham City CEO Garry Cook has said it is a “great idea” for the club to play against Wrexham in the USA.
The two sides faced off last night in a top of the table League One clash at St Andrews. A Jay Stansfield brace helped the West Midlands side to a 3-1 win over Wrexham, condemning them to their first defeat of the season.
But the game attracted more nationwide – and global – attention than usual for Monday evening League One game. This is because of who owns both the clubs, with the match being dubbed a ‘Hollywood derby’ by some.
Wrexham are famously owned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, whilst Birmingham can count NFL legend Tom Brady as one of their co-owners. The celebrity interest in the match was demonstrated by the likes of Gary Neville and David Beckham being part of Brady’s entourage in a private box for the game.
Given the American interest, Birmingham CEO Garry Cook was asked before the match whether it was by the BBC if it was “ever likely” the game might be played in the US.
Cook replied: “Personally I think that is a great idea but I think the EFL wouldn’t see it that way and I think the history and the tradition of our sport and our league tries to ensure that doesn’t happen.
“That doesn’t stop making it a global game even though you’re playing here in Birmingham, and everyone’s looking forward to it. It doesn’t mean to say it’s not going to be a big game.”
Recently, there has been much discussions around the Premier League and other major European leagues playing matches abroad.
Whilst bosses seem to be attracted by the commercial benefits of playing in larger markets such as the US, the idea unsurprisingly is unpopular with many fans and fan groups.
Reacting to Cook’s words, many voiced their anger. One person wrote: “Fans in the UK get a pretty poor deal right now already with TV blackouts and increased prices, taking domestic competitive games overseas is purely for monetary reasons and takes away what makes our game such an attractive proposition in the first place, the fans.”
Another said: “Forget what the EFL think, I’m not sure your fans would be best pleased, you know, the ones who live in and around Birmingham and come and watch you every week. Head needs a wobble if he thinks this is a good idea.”
A third commented: “No, why would the local fans travel to the US to see their teams play…… deluded.”
Spain’s La Liga has already stated its interest in playing games abroad, whilst earlier this year London mayor Sadiq Khan said he believed Premier League games would one day be played in America.
