The Premier League has restated its desire to wrap up a ‘New Deal’ with the EFL as soon as possible, which would mean solidarity payments to the 72 EFL clubs more than doubling.
The 10-year offer was presented to EFL clubs last week after discussions between the leagues at executive level.
Documents show that it includes an undertaking to increase solidarity payments to the EFL by £163m a year by 2028-29, more than double the current estimate of £134m. The deal also pledges £81m extra in the current season.
The extra money is understood to be tied to new agreements on cost controls, a commitment to reduce the Carabao Cup semi-finals to one leg to combat fixture congestion, and to agree a position on the Saturday 3pm blackout ahead of the next domestic television deals.
Top-flight clubs gathered for their first shareholders’ meeting since the season kicked off in London on Thursday and expressed their commitment to doing a deal swiftly.
“Since a fair and generous proposal was formally offered to the EFL last month, discussions have continued between the leagues’ executives, and it was presented to EFL clubs last week,” a league statement read.
“The Premier League remains committed to concluding a football-led solution as soon as possible so additional money can flow to EFL clubs this season.”
That reference to a “football-led solution” is a nod to the possibility that the Independent Football Regulator’s ‘backstop’ powers could be triggered by either league to impose a solution if the leagues cannot agree one themselves.
The IFR is set to publish its ‘State of the Game’ review in the next few weeks. It will give the regulator’s position on the financial health of the English game, and there is a school of thought that the findings could strengthen the EFL’s hand in the negotiations.
However, EFL clubs are understood to have been warned by league executives that invoking the backstop could mean they are kept waiting up to two years for a new agreement to be signed off, and that the outcome would be difficult to predict.
There was no sense on Thursday that the publication of the ‘State of the Game’ review was acting as a deadline for the deal to be done in the minds of the Premier League or its clubs.
EFL clubs have been asked to provide their feedback on the Premier League’s offer ahead of further meetings early next month.
The EFL declined to comment with discussions ongoing.
