Andy Burnham is being called upon to address the issues surrounding the flawed sports ownership model by establishing a new organization dedicated to empowering supporters. The Co-operative Party, affiliated with Labour, is advocating for the creation of a new entity, dubbed Supporters Direct 2.0, to promote supporter and community ownership across various sports.
According to a recent report, the proposed organization would offer clubs in all sports legal, governance, and developmental assistance, aiming to diminish the influence of private financial entities. This initiative arises amidst controversy over FIFA’s initial plans to sell a share in the World Cup, which were swiftly retracted following widespread criticism.
The report characterizes English football as a “global commercial success,” but criticizes the imbalance where clubs derive their value from supporters’ loyalty and community identity, yet ownership and decision-making are predominantly controlled by a select few private interests. It emphasizes that a majority of Premier League clubs are owned by international entities like hedge funds and private equity firms, advocating for greater community ownership instead.
The Co-operative Party highlights the recent attempts to sell World Cup shares as indicative of the problematic state of sports ownership, underscoring the urgent need for change. Issues in Rugby Union and Rugby League, with multiple clubs facing financial troubles, further underscore the challenges within the sports sector.
General Secretary Joe Fortune of the Co-operative Party stated that the recent World Cup controversy exemplifies the detrimental impact of private ownership on fans. Calling for a shift in power to those deeply invested in sports, the party envisions a new Supporters Direct empowering fans and communities to take charge of their beloved clubs.
Andy Burnham, the first Labour and Co-operative Prime Minister, previously chaired Supporters Direct, advocating for increased supporter influence and ownership in football. In his earlier remarks on the subject, Burnham emphasized the intrinsic connection between football clubs and their supporters, asserting that the essence of every club belongs to its fans.
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