Premier League CEO Richard Masters has dismissed the possibility of league games being played in the United States in the near future. Despite the Premier League’s growing popularity in America and the success of the recently held Premier League Summer Series, where multiple top-flight teams participated in friendly games across different locations in the US, Masters stated that games abroad are not part of his current plans.
The Premier League has witnessed significant growth in the US, with as many as 10 teams being either owned by Americans or having majority shareholders from the United States. The demand for Premier League action in America has been on the rise, leading to the official competition taking place this summer.
Masters acknowledged the efforts of Akash Jain, the managing director for the US, in expanding the reach of soccer and the Premier League in the country. With the Premier League selling 270,000 tickets across the summer series games in the US, including three sold-out matches, Masters recognized the significant progress made in making the league more mainstream in America.
However, when asked about the possibility of hosting league games overseas, Masters made it clear that it was not part of his current plans. He emphasized the success of the Premier League’s growth in the US and the need to take advantage of the opportunities presented there. Masters also acknowledged the concerns regarding the ownership of Premier League clubs and the league’s commitment to transparency and regulatory challenges.
The Premier League CEO emphasized the responsibility of domestic, regional, and global bodies to respond and protect football as a whole when faced with regulatory challenges. The league aims to maintain transparency and have faith in its regulatory regime while addressing future challenges.
In conclusion, despite the Premier League’s expansion in the United States and the success of the Premier League Summer Series, CEO Richard Masters has dismissed the possibility of league games being played in America. While efforts are being made to grow the sport in the US, hosting competitive games abroad is not currently part of the league’s plans. The focus remains on further establishing the Premier League as a mainstream sport in America and addressing regulatory challenges.
