Andy Burnham is being called upon to take a stand against a flawed sports ownership model by establishing a new organization that empowers supporters. The Co-operative Party, affiliated with Labour, is advocating for the creation of a new entity, dubbed Supporters Direct 2.0, to endorse fan and community ownership in sports.
According to a recent report, this initiative aims to provide legal, governance, and developmental assistance to clubs in various sports, ultimately diminishing the influence of private financing. The move comes as FIFA faced backlash over plans to sell a portion of the World Cup. After widespread criticism, the governing body reversed its decision to establish a separate $20 billion company to oversee its competitions.
The report emphasizes the success of English football as a global commercial entity but highlights the imbalance created by the dominance of private interests in ownership and decision-making. It notes that the majority of Premier League clubs are owned by international entities like hedge funds and private equity firms and advocates for increased community ownership.
The Co-operative Party warns that recent attempts to sell World Cup shares underscore the pressing need for change in sports ownership practices. In rugby, several teams, including London Irish, Worcester, and Wasps, have faced financial difficulties due to unsustainable business models. Similarly, rugby league has seen multiple clubs, such as Keighley and Salford Red Devils, go bankrupt this year.
In cricket, Yorkshire’s CEO is pushing to transition the club from being member-run, citing concerns about missing out on test matches if the change is not implemented. Joe Fortune, General Secretary of the Co-operative Party, asserts that private ownership in sports undermines fans and calls for a shift of power to supporters and communities through a new iteration of Supporters Direct.
Andy Burnham, the first Labour and Co-operative Prime Minister, formerly chaired Supporters Direct, emphasizing the importance of fan ownership in football. He expressed the belief that clubs belong more to their supporters than shareholders, highlighting the fans as the true heart and soul of any club.
