Klaus wrote:
Not in the short run, no, but it would give them something to build on. It will depend on how the money is distributed mainly, but I assume that's why they're considering scrapping the Europa League to begin with. It would make a ton of difference if Everton could earn thirty million extra across two seasons and then invest it wisely. Or this current Newcastle side, with a clever transfer policy, a clear club philosophy and an extensive scouting system already in place. Give them the chance to bulk up for a couple of years without having to knock Chelsea or Arsenal out of the top four first and they might amass to something. It might put a limit to how big clubs are hoarding good players too, since there will be more opportunities for the players to prove themselves on the European stage all of a sudden.
If you create two divisions you're just going to repeat the Uefa cup/Europa League mistake, and as a consequence no one will give a toss until the top teams clash.
Two divisions then, but with the same prize/progression money for the second as for the first. It'd be a light version of the usual draft + financial assistance model pursued by some other sports.
If first, second third went to the upper tier and fourth, fifth, sixth went to the lower tier, the only real distortion would be occasionally teams seeking to drop from third to fourth at the end of the season.
But I don't think that'd be a huge issue. The CL prize money, though obviously a chunk of a big club's financial position, doesn't have a definitive influence on it. It would clarify the CL vs Europa bragging rights that fans already take up as well.
