More Than a Game: Saving Football From Itself

by Mark Gregory

A top-to-bottom look at England's national game, from one of the UK's leading business economists.The Premier League is the most commercially successful football league in history, the self-proclaimed 'best league in the world'. But success has come at a cost, unbalancing the English game to a profound and damaging degree.Football's stumbling response to COVID-19 and the European Super League disaster are just the most recent examples. It is estimated that more than two thirds of the country's 92 professional clubs are loss-making; payments to agents each year regularly total more than the combined income of all 44 clubs in Leagues 1 and 2; supporters have been squeezed to the limit; racist incidents are on the rise; grassroots facilities are in a dreadful state; and failed World Cup bids have severely weakened England's standing in the global game. The national team's performance at Euro 2020 can't paper over the cracks.There is an alternative. In this revealing and eye-opening analysis, leading economist Mark Gregory reveals the breadth and depth of the problems facing our national men's game, and shows us a way to bring football home for good.

299 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 2, 2021

Reviews

[Martin Rogers · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this a real grind. I should of loved this, didn't. also, fairly poorly written, defo need another draft and a good edit.

[Rob Sedgwick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark Gregory describes very well the madness that is football finances and the spiralling wage/transfer fees at the top of the game. While TV revenue has been increasing the game has absorbed this to a degree but the signs are that the popularity of the game has peaked and a rocky path lies ahead, especially for English Football which is largely the topic of the book.

[Conor Daly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book demonstrating the crossroads at which modern football finds itself in light of the failed European Super League and financial cliff faces that separate the premier league from the football league. The author provides potential solutions to these issues as opposed to just parroting the fact that these issues exist which was refreshing.

[Sarah E White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Packed full of information about how football.needs saving from itself and making sure it's a game everyone can continue to enjoy.