The Athletic FC Podcast Is the Premier League’s dominance a problem?
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Sep 9, 2025 Join Matt Slater, a business of football writer, and James Horncastle, an Italian football expert, as they explore the Premier League's record-breaking spending and its impact on European football. They discuss the widening financial gap with other leagues, the potential challenges of maintaining global dominance, and the intrigue of introducing a '39th game' abroad. The conversation also touches on how esports could redefine audience engagement and the complexities of soccer media rights in an evolving landscape.
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Premier League's Unmatched Financial Lead
- The Premier League's summer spending of ~£3bn shows a striking financial gap with other top leagues combined.
- Matt Slater argues this scale means even smaller PL clubs outspend major foreign clubs, widening the competitive divide.
TV Rights Gave The Premier League The Edge
- James Horncastle says other leagues were squeezed out of international TV markets after the Premier League monetised global audiences first.
- He believes that long-term effect is a structural problem that won't be easily reversed.
Short-Term Wins Hurt Long-Term League Health
- Serie A's past model amplified revenues for a few clubs but neglected structural investment like stadiums and international rights.
- James argues that inconsistency and lost focus created long-term decline despite past dominance.