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Webber: Three likely outcomes from Championship fallout

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There’s been a lot of uncertainty in the Championship following the EFL’s decision to approve a new Sky TV deal, in opposition to a group of clubs, including Leeds, Derby and Aston Villa.

They had threatened the possibility of a breakaway Premier League 2 if the EFL approved the controversial new deal, with Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani said to be the driving force behind the rebel clubs.

The clubs met at Villa Park on Tuesday to discuss what they would do next and BBC journalist and writer for fcbusiness Magazine, the business magazine for the football industry, Marc Webber, delivered a thread on Twitter to give his thoughts on what could be a huge story.

Webber says that Leeds and Derby complained about the last deal, that led to clubs being allowed to stream games. That was enough to satisfy them last time. However, Webber says that if clubs like Middlesborough and Stoke are part of the rebel group this time, a “tweak to online revenues won’t be enough to quell the rebellion”.

What’s more, he says that if the two Sheffield teams, along with Norwich, Birmingham and Nottingham Forest join up too, the EFL could have a real problem.

Webber goes on to say that there are three likely outcomes, with the breakaway league – Premier League 2 – the last option.

He says the EFL could either decide to give a bigger share of the TV money to the rebel clubs, including Leeds. Webber says this would have to be significant.

If they don’t there could be a “messy” legal battle over the summer and he says that he can’t see Sky agreeing to pay more money for a deal they’ve already signed.

The breakaway league is the least likely option but he points out some very important facts. He says the clubs like Leeds have a big global fanbase, just like Premier League clubs.

Interestingly, the Premier League has a new CEO, Susanna Dinnage, and Webber says what better way for her to announce her stay than by expanding the Premier League to include a Premier League 2?

He rounds off his fascinating thread by saying that this is exactly how the Premier League itself started – with clubs demanding more TV money.

Whatever happens, it’s a story that’s going to run. The big Championship clubs aren’t going to just accept what’s happened and Leeds fans will be hooping they get promoted this season and can leave the fight to others.

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