{"id":598763,"date":"2021-08-11T12:16:52","date_gmt":"2021-08-11T16:16:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=598763"},"modified":"2021-08-11T12:16:52","modified_gmt":"2021-08-11T16:16:52","slug":"myth-big-six","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2021\/08\/11\/myth-big-six\/","title":{"rendered":"The Myth of the ‘Big Six’"},"content":{"rendered":"

In 2021, it is a mystery as to why the phrase ‘Big Six’<\/a> is still being so consistently used.\u00a0 With most individuals having different opinions on what the Big Six means, pundits and certain media outlets still refuse to back down from their biases.\u00a0 It is correct that these teams have the largest fanbases.\u00a0 It is correct that these teams have the most money.\u00a0 But why is that prioritised in regards to a clubs prestige?\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

The same mentality behind handpicking six teams to represent the best, based on history or revenue, is exactly what led to the introduction of the European Super League<\/a>.\u00a0 So why is historic success held in higher regard than current success? Why are certain teams still viewed as superior to those they are regularly competing against for Europa League places?\u00a0 And what can this elitist mentality lead to in the future?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Big Six: A Big Myth?<\/h2>\n

The Repercussions of the Big Six<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If Sky and BT purchased broadcasting rights for England’s top flight in the decade prior, the so-called ‘Big Six’ could have looked very different<\/a>.\u00a0Teams like Nottingham Forest or Aston Villa<\/a> could have skyrocketed in wealth, thus placing them in the league’s financial elite.\u00a0 It is fair to say that due to the growing globalisation of the top league in 1992, the teams that loitered around the higher part of the table had the opportunity to establish their fan bases across the globe.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

However, the constant reference of a Big Six leads to an undeserved title of elite, while teams with fewer global fan bases continue to show their footballing ascendancy.\u00a0 It allows said six to place their brand above football; above the rest of the league regardless of performances.\u00a0 The long history of England’s footballing culture and merit is what has led these owners to profit so much from their current teams.\u00a0 Prioritising any brand over merit gives unintentional acceptance to closed-off formations such as the ESL.\u00a0 The concept of six clubs isolating themselves from the English structure is not new.\u00a0 A minority number of pundits and news outlets have partaken in this ideology for years.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Although references to Big Six may seem minuscule when referring to billionaire elitism, they are not.\u00a0 For every pundit or newspaper that enforces this ‘superior club’ mentality, the reach of brand over football grows.\u00a0 If anything helps big business, it is free marketing.\u00a0 Of course, this would have zero impact on us with established support or community connections.\u00a0 But being the biggest sport in the world, there is always a constant flow of new fans; fans both in England and abroad that do not have these same connections.\u00a0 In an evolving sport, fanbases shift.\u00a0 If the Big Six mentality continues, we will continue to see the financial gap grow even further.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Leicester’s Breakthrough\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The biggest pin to burst the elitist bubble is Leicester City<\/a>.\u00a0 Their recent win over Manchester City<\/a> in the Community Shield is just another reminder that the Foxes continue to surpass many of the Big Six in terms of silverware and league position. In the last five years, they have added a Premier League title and an FA Cup to their newly formed collection, a combo that teams such as Manchester United<\/a>, Arsenal<\/a> and Tottenham Hotspur<\/a> would dream of possessing in recent times.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

So why is it necessary for some pundits and presenters to portray these clubs as superior, simply by brand appeal?\u00a0 Those that indulge themselves in the grandeur of footballing culture will be aware that legacy and success are the ultimate goals in football.\u00a0 Something that Leicester currently possess in higher quantity than half of the so-called Big Six.\u00a0 It is about time that the story of a smaller team rising through the ranks to become top of the mountain should be respected, not something to be applauded at the end of one season and then dismissed.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Can the Premier League Learn From Other Countries?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Premier League is definitely not the first league to push favouritism to an elite few.\u00a0 For decades, both La Liga in Spain and Serie A in Italy have taken this approach.\u00a0 Barcelona<\/a> and Real Madrid<\/a> have had a stronghold over the Spanish media and La Liga’s decision making and similarly for Juventus<\/a>, AC Milan<\/a> and Inter Milan<\/a> in Italy.\u00a0 However, despite their size in regards to fanbases and finances, their respective leagues are currently in jeopardy.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

After years of ignoring Financial Fair Play rules to keep the bigger clubs happy, the chickens have come home to roost.\u00a0 The current state of footballing finances across Europe are at the direst state in their history.\u00a0 Dreadful mismanagement at the top along with a global pandemic has placed many of these clubs in financial ruin.\u00a0 This is at a huge detriment to their league.\u00a0 The decision of the leagues to place clubs in favourable positions for short term benefit has led to an unhealthy reliance; a reliance that has stripped these leagues of their expected control.\u00a0 They have anchored themselves to the now sinking ship that is their star clubs.\u00a0 If evolution was left to run its course, then who knows which Spanish and Italian clubs could currently be global outfits.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Premier League is luckily not this reliant, but it is definitely getting closer by the year.\u00a0 The marketing of the Premier League results in the trickle-down effect that benefits teams throughout the league.\u00a0 The ESL was almost the end of this.\u00a0 In an ideal world, the six clubs that signed up for the ESL have had a moral change of heart since then.\u00a0 Unfortunately, we do not live in an ideal world.\u00a0 Money is growing more and more influential across our beautiful game.\u00a0 These club owners will not give up their quest for guaranteed profits, regardless of what this means for the rest.\u00a0 They WILL try again and the constant demand of a so-called Big Six will only continue to benefit their ambitions.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>