All fascinating and considered contributions. I will try and assist, but at the moment, things are still not set in stone.
We will make an official announcement as soon as possible, but in the spirit of this post, please do not quote me as “Liam said…” if this doesn’t materialise exactly as I predict.
As I understand it, the EFL and key football stakeholders (PL, FA, broadcasters etc.) expect to start the season with full stadiums with some changes to the operating model (red zone, restricted player zones etc.) but taking a very elevated view of the stadium on match day; it will be as per pre-pandemic.
Broadcasting contracts have reverted to pre-Covid terms. As has UEFA Article 48, which mandates the UK to UK blackout, meaning iFollow can’t be streamed in the UK as per the temporary structure for last season.
To be clear about this year, the same exclusions will apply as before - Tuesday night games, for example.
Should the situation with Covid change, there is an expectation the stakeholders will need to be flexible, but that will be a discussion (negotiation) at that given time. It is commonly agreed there is no point arguing over scenarios 1-150 now when the nuance of each situation will be critical to the solution. All of that said, let’s hope this isn’t a discussion we have to have at all.
Regarding if streaming should be allowed generally in this new world of Zoom, Teams, Netflix, Prime and so on. If we scrapped UEFA Article 48, it would change the landscape of broadcast agreements, and this is a far bigger conundrum than just Lincoln City being able to sell a few more match passes to Mr & Mrs Smith in Devon.
1) We have to remember whatever is allowed for LCFC would also have to be permitted for Man U, Arsenal, Man City, Chelsea etc. How many fans would elect to pay to stream Man City vs Tottenham on Sat at 3PM, as opposed to going to watch or even steaming Lincoln City Vs Accrington? Would lower league clubs lose more than they gain? What would be the short term net effect? Hard to say, but rather than gamble, given how perilous finances in the game are right now, I do think a safe play is a wise one.
2) The majority of our core funding is achieved by the trickle-down effect from TV deals, be that PL or even Championship. Without a central TV deal, or worse, with the big clubs able to stream direct to fans, we could see hundreds of millions lost from the financial ecosystem, which keeps lower league clubs alive.
3) Let’s say the above points 1+2 aren’t an issue, and we find a way for LCFC to retain a piece of the overall income; what happens to the younger fans of the future that will be binging on Barcelona, Real Madrid, PSG from their iPads from the age of being able to use the technology. Whilst we MAY make a few extra quid now, and more fans may be able to see their beloved LCFC, where will the fans of the future come from if they have been brought up exclusively on global brands and superstars. We wouldn't stand a chance, and it would be a slow and painful road to extinction - in my opinion.
As you can see, all of this is very subjective; it’s also personal and emotive based on individual circumstances of right now. What we do know is that we need data and research to inform any future direction and certainly not act in haste or from gut feeling as we look to recover from a pandemic.
Our position is that we have asked for research to be conducted, and this is not the type that is delivered in 6 weeks. We favour extensive longitudinal studies that can be considered before we open the doors to something that could never be closed shut again.
I 100% appreciate this could be an inconvenience. I also understand many people were able to watch 45+ games home and away last year. There are many counterpoints to my musings above, hence the need to step back and not do anything (potentially) catastrophic in the short term.
I hope that summarises something that is not easy, to sum up in a few words.
Liam
) where it’s reasonable to get to or maybe an important game. But if I was contemplating going to say Oxford or Wigan on a Saturday in January then I might take the easy option of staying in front of the fire so to speak if it was available. And I don’t particularly think I should have that luxury.
