League Two clubs have agreed to end the season with immediate effect and settle final standings on a points-per-game basis.

The decision, which is yet to be ratified by the EFL or the FA, would see every remaining game cancelled apart from the two-legged play-off semi-finals and the final.

As per the weighted points-per-game standings, Crewe Alexandra, Swindon Town and Plymouth Argyle would be promoted.

Cheltenham Town, Exeter City, Colchester United and Northampton Town would enter the play-offs.

It would leave Stevenage in the relegation place - but it has yet to be decided whether they would be given a reprieve.

Money talks yet again.. These clubs can't afford to pay for tests and everything else that is needed to carry on,Div 1 next perhaps.. Meanwhile the premier league and championship will be forking out loads of cash so they can entertain the few people in their empty stadiums to fulfil their sponsorships..

Football without fans doesn't seem good whatsoever.. Will be interesting to see if they go free to air with matches.. Not that it will be worth watching.

2 football bets this season....

Crewe at 33/1 to win the league

Crewe at 18/1 on the handicap to win the league

Bloody PPG

No relegation and Barrow to take Bury’s place I wonder.

Vegas Claret wrote: ↑

Fri May 15, 2020 5:13 pm

League Two clubs have agreed to end the season with immediate effect and settle final standings on a points-per-game basis.

The decision, which is yet to be ratified by the EFL or the FA, would see every remaining game cancelled apart from the two-legged play-off semi-finals and the final.

As per the weighted points-per-game standings, Crewe Alexandra, Swindon Town and Plymouth Argyle would be promoted.

Cheltenham Town, Exeter City, Colchester United and Northampton Town would enter the play-offs.

It would leave Stevenage in the relegation place - but it has yet to be decided whether they would be given a reprieve.

They have also said no relegation but the whole thing needs to be ratified.

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Fri May 15, 2020 6:01 pm

They have also said no relegation but the whole thing needs to be ratified.

Indeed ! No perfect solution to be had anywhere.

I was reading something earlier that said even if the PL was to restart that the clubs might have to pay back a chunk of money as playing behind closed dors/neutral grounds/different kick off times (any of those) isn't part of the contract. No idea if that will be enforced or of the PL will foot the bill instead of the clubs.

Vegas Claret wrote: ↑

Fri May 15, 2020 6:24 pm

Indeed ! No perfect solution to be had anywhere.

I was reading something earlier that said even if the PL was to restart that the clubs might have to pay back a chunk of money as playing behind closed dors/neutral grounds/different kick off times (any of those) isn't part of the contract. No idea if that will be enforced or of the PL will foot the bill instead of the clubs.

The Premier League is the clubs and each club is expected to lose around £17m each even if the season is finished.

What's going on with League One?
Weren't they also supposed to sort something out today?

ElectroClaret wrote: ↑

Fri May 15, 2020 6:51 pm

What's going on with League One?
Weren't they also supposed to sort something out today?

They were undecided after talks today. Meeting again on Monday to thrash it out

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Fri May 15, 2020 6:45 pm

The Premier League is the clubs and each club is expected to lose around £17m each even if the season is finished.

What I can’t understand is, if the season is concluded and all contracted games are televised, why would they have to provide a refund?

Arguably, if they partner with the broadcasters and give them all some extra games (so they get to screen their contracted games + some more), they should be paying some more? The audiences will be huge!

NewClaret wrote: ↑

Fri May 15, 2020 7:32 pm

What I can’t understand is, if the season is concluded and all contracted games are televised, why would they have to provide a refund?

Arguably, if they partner with the broadcasters and give them all some extra games (so they get to screen their contracted games + some more), they should be paying some more? The audiences will be huge!

The contract will include playing games in front of crowds, playing by a certain date etc. The broadcasting companies are also losing money.

dandeclaret wrote: ↑

Fri May 15, 2020 5:52 pm

2 football bets this season....

Crewe at 33/1 to win the league

Crewe at 18/1 on the handicap to win the league

Bloody PPG

Will the bookies void bets then or just pay out as per the final table after the points per game have been added?

For main league suspect ppg table, handicap could be voided

Bordeauxclaret wrote: ↑

Fri May 15, 2020 6:00 pm

No relegation and Barrow to take Bury’s place I wonder.

Blimey, Barrow is riddled with coronavirus!

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Fri May 15, 2020 7:40 pm

The contract will include playing games in front of crowds, playing by a certain date etc. The broadcasting companies are also losing money.

The crowd thing would shock me (in the sense it would have taken some real imagination from the Lawyers to ever anticipate this - and I know Lawyers don’t have any imagination ) but can see your point regarding by certain dates.

I’m still keeping my fingers crossed that the final impacts are less severe!

NewClaret wrote: ↑

Fri May 15, 2020 8:31 pm

The crowd thing would shock me (in the sense it would have taken some real imagination from the Lawyers to ever anticipate this - and I know Lawyers don’t have any imagination ) but can see your point regarding by certain dates.

I’m still keeping my fingers crossed that the final impacts are less severe!

The figure was given to the clubs this week at the Premier League meeting.

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Fri May 15, 2020 8:39 pm

The figure was given to the clubs this week at the Premier League meeting.

Yeah, realise that - just being hopeful that is “worst case scenario” and might exclude some new revenue generating opportunities if more games are televised.

Don’t want Burnley suffering too much

NewClaret wrote: ↑

Fri May 15, 2020 8:52 pm

Yeah, realise that - just being hopeful that is “worst case scenario” and might exclude some new revenue generating opportunities if more games are televised.

Don’t want Burnley suffering too much

The way I read it was that clubs will have to take that hit. Doubt there will be any more money from anywhere although non televised games could be streamed but that will require the ok from all the broadcasters.

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Fri May 15, 2020 9:25 pm

The way I read it was that clubs will have to take that hit. Doubt there will be any more money from anywhere although non televised games could be streamed but that will require the ok from all the broadcasters.

My dream situation Tony would be that all games are streamed via the PL app, with ST holders getting free streaming for home games. I’d happily pay a reasonable for away games to get a reliable stream, with a large % of fees going to the home club to compensate for lost match day income.

Not that I expect that to happen, but I’d be delighted if it did.

What would be in that for Sky and BT though?

Or do you mean outside the number of games they are already contracted for?

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Fri May 15, 2020 7:40 pm

The contract will include playing games in front of crowds, playing by a certain date etc. The broadcasting companies are also losing money.

not sure how many on here are aware that La Liga fines clubs with low attendances because large crowds are demanded by TV

like you say CT plenty of issues other than crowds
- Games are not being produced at the contracted times and dates
- Subscribers pay for sports packages, almost never for just Premier League packages. With virtually no sport taking place anywhere in any form a lot of subscribers are just cancelling and will not renew just for Big League football wall to wall meaning that, broadcasters revenues are dropping and there for rights are worth less to them.
- Subscriber numbers are also dropping as a result of pandemic induced economic issues
- Advertising revenues for rights holders will also be dropping because of pandemic induced economic issues combined with reduced number of viewers/subscribers

I have posted a few times recently on the MMT thread about the scale of the financial hit the broadcasters are taking - in America Comcast (who bought Sky last year) own NBC sports and they are forcing significant reductions on contracts across all major sports including HFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, Golf and Tennis - NBC also own the Premier League rights in the US.

Bordeauxclaret wrote: ↑

Fri May 15, 2020 10:42 pm

What would be in that for Sky and BT though?

Or do you mean outside the number of games they are already contracted for?

again what would be in that for Sky and BT - broadcasting the rest of the games just further devalues the rights they hold

I've just now listened to Chairperson of Port Vale on sport spot on R4. 8th in the division. Agreed, for the sake of League 2 unity on the ending of League 2 season. Her club miss out on a play-off spot as a result - in the play-offs the week before lockdown - expected to be back in play-offs if they played another game. She said missing out on play-offs and promotion hurts her club, but it was more important that L2 had unity and resolution.

I wonder if she would speak with Villa, Watford, West Ham and Brighton chairs to exchange views.

Well done, Port Vale.

Now also on BBC website: League Two: Port Vale chair left 'shaking' after voting to end season

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52680382

Chester Perry wrote: ↑

Sat May 16, 2020 12:15 am

again what would be in that for Sky and BT - broadcasting the rest of the games just further devalues the rights they hold

If games are shown via club streaming or free to air, the contracted broadcasters will have every right to reduce their payments further. It's not just Sky & BT either, there are all the overseas broadcasters.

Bordeauxclaret wrote: ↑

Fri May 15, 2020 10:42 pm

What would be in that for Sky and BT though?

Or do you mean outside the number of games they are already contracted for?

I mean that they get their games live on their channels, all other games are available on an app. I suppose the Sky/BT games should also be on there, available free to ST holders only (who don’t have Sky/BT).

The whole Sky/BT model is going to die anyway. It’s not sustainable. Streaming will kill it. The PL needs to launch an app, either subscription based or PPV, with all games live. Monies somehow shared across all clubs quarterly.

Given the infrastructure Sky/BT have built up, and the investment in the PL they’ve made over the years, I think they should be part of the solution.

The issue is maintaining attendances/atmospheres at games if you can watch from home and, to that end, I’d love to see the additional money generated from screening extra games being directed at substantially lowering ticket prices for fans.

I could understand how maintaining the status quo was the easier option pre-covid, but feel this now provides an opportunity for a new model.

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Sat May 16, 2020 11:25 am

If games are shown via club streaming or free to air, the contracted broadcasters will have every right to reduce their payments further. It's not just Sky & BT either, there are all the overseas broadcasters.

True - the overseas broadcasters would still get all games though, so their audiences would get the product they’ve paid for, albeit without fans which I accept detracts from the viewing experience.

I suppose I’m agreeing there may be a refund/rebate required to broadcasters, just hoping the PL can either work with them to offer something in return for minimising that rebate (i.e. more games) or put in place an alternative solution (i.e. an app/channel) that allows clubs to monetise their remaining games and mitigate the loss of other TV revenue/match day income.

NewClaret wrote: ↑

Sat May 16, 2020 11:51 am

True - the overseas broadcasters would still get all games though, so their audiences would get the product they’ve paid for, albeit without fans which I accept detracts from the viewing experience.

I suppose I’m agreeing there may be a refund/rebate required to broadcasters, just hoping the PL can either work with them to offer something in return for minimising that rebate (i.e. more games) or put in place an alternative solution (i.e. an app/channel) that allows clubs to monetise their remaining games and mitigate the loss of other TV revenue/match day income.

The Premier League have worked with them and they've told the clubs there is a £340m deficit. The minute you allow any alternative solutions then you are in breach of contract with the broadcasters.

IanMcL wrote: ↑

Fri May 15, 2020 8:22 pm

Blimey, Barrow is riddled with coronavirus!

The figures are high because that area of the country has conducted intensive testing off their own initiative.
Unlike most everywhere else.

I see there's already a thread on League 2 PPG decision.

Maybe this one should be merged with that one, or with Joey commenting on Troy Deeney or with Premier League continue....

UTC

NewClaret wrote: ↑

Fri May 15, 2020 7:32 pm

What I can’t understand is, if the season is concluded and all contracted games are televised, why would they have to provide a refund?

Arguably, if they partner with the broadcasters and give them all some extra games (so they get to screen their contracted games + some more), they should be paying some more? The audiences will be huge!

I think it's got something to do with advertising revenue. Sky and BT will have lost out since lockdown, 3 months without tv football from when last games were played 13th March. Even though they will have all the original tv scheduled games, plus big share of the rest of the 92, it will be 92 games over a shorter period than it would have been, plus the summer nights will reduce advertising opportunities compared with March/April/May. At least, that's my guess, partly based on the difference between spring/summer/autumn and winter tv schedules. Not much "new and crowd pleasing" stuff is on tv in the summer..... we all used to be away on our holidays....

Paul Waine wrote: ↑

Sat May 16, 2020 1:30 pm

I see there's already a thread on League 2 PPG decision.

Maybe this one should be merged with that one, or with Joey commenting on Troy Deeney or with Premier League continue....

UTC

Thank you. That was quick.