LONDON. â The English Premier League is âa success storyâ but not a charity, its chief executive Richard Scudamore has said over criticism on a record £5.14bn TV deal. Leading politicians have called for more money from the sale of domestic TV rights to be put into grassroots football and reducing ticket prices. But Scudamore said: âWeâre not set up for charitable purposes.
âWe are set up to be the best football competition.â
Sky and BT Sportâs 2016-19 deal is a 70 percent rise on the current £3bn contract.
Labourâs shadow sports minister Clive Efford told BBC Radio 5 live it would be ânothing short of criminalâ if the extra money from the three-season packages was not invested into grassroots.
Sports minister Helen Grant also described the Premier League as âa great British success storyâ but said the TV deal should bring âincreased benefits to clubs lower down the football pyramidâ and called for further investment in facilities and supporters âwho are the bedrock of the clubs they followâ. â BBC Sport.
