Championship clubs set for Villa Park summit after EFL agrees controversial new TV deal
A group of rebel Championship clubs are due to meet at Villa Park on Tuesday to decide their next move after the EFL agreed a controversial new TV deal with Sky Sports.
The £595million, five-year deal was rubber-stamped on Monday despite opposition from the majority of Championship clubs, including Albion and Villa.
Though it represents a 35 per cent increase on the current agreement, many felt it undervalued the league, providing drastically reduced revenues compared to those on offer to the Premier League.
Clubs were as late as Monday trying to persuade the EFL to extend the existing deal by one year to allow more time to find an alternative. There has also been the veiled threat of a breakaway league being formed.
But following a meeting, the EFL board opted to unanimously agree to the new deal, after determining it was in the league’s “overall best interests”.
League interim chair Debbie Jevans said: “Having fully considered the matter, its implications and any associated risks, the EFL board is satisfied that the right deal for the EFL and its cubs has been reached.
“Concluding these negotiations has indeed been challenging, as is the case when managing a diverse group of stakeholders, and the board took on board the comments and frustrations voiced by a number of clubs and has committed to reviewing the way the League engages with its clubs to ensure that we move forward in a collaborative way in the future.
“The board looks forward to continuing the excellent relationship and partnership it has with Sky Sports.”
