Aberconwy MP Robin Millar has written to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lucy Frazer MP, outlining recommendations to ensure that an agreement between the Premier League and the lower leagues over broadcasting rights and revenues delivers maximum benefits for grassroots football.
Robin, who is Chairman of the UK Parliamentary Football Club APPG, wrote:
“We welcome the news of progress towards an agreement between the Premier League and the lower leagues over broadcasting rights and revenues.
“Broadcasting revenues have already transformed our game and are a lifeblood that must flow through to benefit all parts of the football pyramid.”
Continuing, Robin highlighted that:
“We believe that a deal must ensure that the key issues facing clubs are properly addressed: a fair share of income from broadband revenues – and a damper on a runaway-costs from excessive growth in player wages.“
Outlining recommendations to maximise support for grass roots football clubs, Robin requested that lower league clubs should have a disproportionately larger share in the agreement than Premier League Clubs. He also requested that revenues are not simply channelled into higher player wages and that parachute payments must not reward or compensate failure.
Concluding, he said:
“Taken together, we believe these are reasonable and proportionate measures that will secure long term benefit for clubs, the game and society as a whole.
“We know your Department is giving close consideration to regulation of the game – and we see this negotiation as an important test of the leagues’ ability to provide for their long term interests. We urge you to take careful note of developments in the days ahead and act accordingly.
“For the sake of the game, our clubs, the communities they sit within – and that we represent.”
Speaking about the letter, Robin said:
“Football clubs - whether you are a fan or not! - are at the heart of many of our communities. Men and women, young and old, the skilled, the enthusiastic may play, but all their families are drawn in.
“So last week, as part of Our Plan for strengthening communities and in addition to my letter to the Sports Minister, I invited local Aberconwy clubs to meet with me. I wanted to hear about what is happening locally, the challenges they face and see what ways there are to help them. It was very positive with some exciting prospects for the future - starting with my meeting with the Sports Minister this week.
“My thanks to those who have met with me previously and those who were able to come - Llandudno FC, Llanfairfechan FC, Penrhyn Bay and Llanrwst FC - and also to those who gave their apologies. If you represent a local team and would like to meet just let me know - I'll be happy to hear from you.”
