THB that there is too much money in professional sport

[admin]

On Friday 5th February 2010, in the Chamber on Palace Green, the Union will debate the motion

This House Believes that there is too much money in professional sport

There will speak:
Erik Samuelson, Director of AFC Wimbledon, one of the few majority fan owned clubs in the UK

Members of the floor will have the opportunity to ask questions of the speakers during the debate, but can raise questions and debate the topic online. A selection of questions raised here may be asked of the speakers before the debate, so that they are sure to address such issues in their speeches.

[edmason]

This story isn't obviously about players' fees and club TV sponsorship, but it does show the arrogance of the rich clubs - Chelsea in this case.

They've been fined 1.2m Euro but so what? That's loose change to Abramovich. It's the transfer ban that will hurt them, as they won't be able to keep up with ManUtd and the like changing the dynamic of their squads and bringing in new talent. That's one of the crucial elements of this debate - you need money, and lots of it, to continually revive a team with transfers in and out, otherwise you can't compete with the big boys.

[edmason]

An interesting comparison between these two articles, one on the resilienceof Premier League football clubs to the recession, the other on how F1 is feeling the strain.

I've noticed these two on the same day that a Saudi businessman buys 90% of Portsmouth (of all clubs), leaving the current Emirati owner with a 10% stake.

How is football surviving, how does money get spent in sport and who are the worst culprits?

Great news that Erik Samuelson is coming to Durham!