The Athletic FC Podcast Why the Premier League needs English football's pyramid to thrive
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Sep 10, 2025 Rick Parry, Chairman of the EFL, dives into the crucial role that lower-league clubs play in the overall health of English football. He discusses the alarming financial disparities between the Premier League and the EFL, advocating for fairer revenue distribution. Parry highlights the EFL as a vital pathway for developing talent and stresses the need for sustainable club ownership. With insights on regulatory reforms, he pushes for greater collaboration within football to address these challenges and secure a thriving future for all clubs.
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System Forces A False Choice
- Rick Parry argues the current system forces clubs to choose between competitiveness and long-term sustainability.
- He warns the pyramid can't thrive unless money distribution is fundamentally rethought.
Growing Financial Chasm Since 1992
- The Premier League's revenue has grown from near parity to dwarfing the EFL over 30 years.
- Parry says that gap makes rising through the pyramid financially perilous for clubs.
TV Growth Won't Close The Gap
- Even big relative increases in EFL TV income barely dent the widening gap with the Premier League.
- Parry contends the Premier League could share more without losing its attraction.