I don’t see it as a cartel as such, as they compete with each other, but certain things bring them to act in common. The runaway success of City being the big one, fear of others such as Newcastle following City terrifies them, and so they manipulate the structure of the game to protect their “historical” privilege and stop “interlopers” spoiling their party. Growing US ownership wants to de-risk their investment and protect their profit stream going forward. Liverpool’s owner wanting games played in the USA is a shockingly awful vision, but he largely got a free pass in the media. Imagine the shitstorm if the Sheikh ever made a similar suggestion.
Because of the sheer size of their current fan base (given the media business model in the click bait age) media and sports journalists unite around them to blow smoke up their collective arses and yet attack City without mercy at every opportunity.
It’s a perfect storm. But no storms last forever.
So pleased City are at last challenging them legally.
