The 8 Football Leagues that can counter the European monopoly

Football and Football leagues have for long been the forte of major European countries like England, Germany, Spain and Italy. For some time though, their South American counterparts, especially in form of the Brazilian flair and Argentinian elegance, gave them a tough competition. However with advent of the modern era, the huge influx of money and ‘promised stardom’ meant football in Europe turned into a global brand with players all around the world wanting to make their mark in Europe. To put it in a more clear perspective, Europe gradually established an absolute monopoly and leagues in other continents were left to nothing but a mere breeding ground for Europe.

Who can Counter their monopoly?

In an annual report published in 2007, it was quite clearly revealed how the European ‘BIG 5′ had a drastic growth in revenue compared to the other leagues. Although there is no harm in the revenue growth of the BIG 5, the equal distribution of wealth is something that is always wanted.

Dan Jones, Partner in the Sports Business Group at Deloitte,echoed the same thought-

“ The distribution of wealth remains an ongoing challenge. Whilst it is not an easy task to manage, achieving a suitable balance is crucial for the sport to continue to be as attractive to fans, broadcasters, sponsors and investors.“

Graph showing the dominance of BIG 5

Hence, quite visibly monopoly is not something that is always desirable. Nevertheless, I have this belief that it is just a matter of time before Europe again gets its fair share competition. No! not by pulling them back but by uplifting the others so that they can match the Big 5. As an ardent football fan, I can only hope that Football goes more global with attractive, unique and equally important brand of it in each and every corner of the world. So, keeping that in my mind, I decided to chalk out a few leagues. Leagues that can counter the mighty European empire. A group of rather ‘unfancied’ Leagues that can just turn out to be THE next big thing!

United States of America (Major League Soccer) :

Major League Soccer

Founded in 1996, the Major League Soccer never really took off during its initial days. However, a remarkable World Cup run by the US in 2002 meant Football had finally arrived to grab the imaginations of many sports fanatics in United States. The stage was finally set for the mighty Americans and the first step for a giant leap was surely taken.

I harbor this firm belief that it is just a matter of time before MLS turns out to be one of the TOP football leagues in the world. And Yes! I mean it. You see MLS is a league based in a country with arguably the world’s best consumer market and provided they take the correct path I see no reason why this league cannot possess the potential of being a massive global product. The efforts are quite visible. Be it developing their infrastructure or luring the big International stars. The league has renewed its emphasis on improving the quality of play by its teams via initiatives such as the Designated Player Rule and the creation of a league-wide youth development system. Since 1999, the league has overseen the construction and completion of nine venues specifically designed for football and following that average attendances and media coverage have also taken an upward curve . It is henceforth quite safe to say that the international reputation of MLS is certainly on the way ahead.

However there are certain elements that needs to be eliminated, if they are harness any desire to fulfill their potential. For an instance there are no concept of relegation and promotion in MLS. Thus it takes away some of its competitiveness and hence needs to be looked upon.

“I don’t know whether it’s ignorance or snobbery or whether it’s that the people saying these things have never played the game or watched it being played here, but the standard is nowhere near as low as people have been saying it is. For a start, you have to be incredibly fit and physically strong to play here: America’s a country, after all, that produces some of the best athletes in the world.”

– David Beckham

Japan(J-League):

J-League

After a disastrous middle period between 1996 to 1999, the J-League went through enormous changes which led to a considerable rise in its reputation. The ‘Hundred Year Vision’ in which they aim to make 100 professional association football clubs in the nation of Japan by 2092, the hundredth season, is certainly producing a much needed positive vibe. The ‘go ahead’ plans seems to have a lot of promise as the league also encourages the clubs to promote football or non-football related sports and health activities, to acquire local sponsorships, and to build good relationship with their hometowns at the grass-root level. This is a wonderful initiative which allows the clubs to bond with their respective cities and towns and get support from local government, companies, and citizens. In other words, this enables the clubs to rely on the locals, rather than major national sponsors.

Unlike the MLS, the J-League has adapted to the European format which I believe will allow them to progress further and compete with the best leagues in the world.

Football in Japan has completely taken off since they played a successful host of the 2002 World Cup and there seems to be no looking back. The J-League is getting stronger and stronger with tremendous crowd support and fast improvement in the standard of play. The growing trend of Japanese players refraining from joining the European clubs and opting to stay in their home league, is very encouraging to say the least.

History is witness to Japan’s incredible rise over the years to catch up with the big heavyweights. Be it in technology , industrialization or financial stability . Hence, one can’t help but feel that this ultimate hardworking nation will bring about a stiff footballing challenge to leagues of the west.

“Soccer is getting up there with baseball now in terms of popularity, and the quality has improved dramatically. In the past, players past their best were coming to Japan for a final payday, but rarely so now.”

– Yohei Kasuga, Nikkan Sports

Qatar (Qatar Stars League):

Qatar Stars League

Now this one is a bit tricky and an unconventional choice and it is completely based on my own expectations and predictions for the future. We have all seen how Qatar romped away with the rights to host the 2022 World Cup. And hence for that very reason I hope football and football league in Qatar to face an enormous boom once this footballing extravaganza takes place. Finance would not be a hindrance given the enormous wealth of this oil-rich nation and if they use their money power and encouraging footballing enthusiasm in a judicious way, there is no reason why the Qatar Stars League can’t emerge as a big global brand, luring star powers and building alongside a great footballing infra-structure.

Last heard they were preparing to hijack Pep Guardiola with a multi-million dollar deal to join in as the National Team Coach. Sign of things to come eh?

“The Qatar Stars League has really expanded in the turn of this decade”

- Wikipedia

Australia ( A-League):

A-League

Gone are the days when Football in Australia were considered a game for the foreigners. The socceroos have finally managed to attract the attention of the Australians and the world. An attractive lifestyle and good salaries will help the league continue to attract overseas talent and many Aussies based in Europe are now returning home to play a role in the A-League’s growth. The league structure is well organized and the progress has been quite interesting indeed.

Few star players have been lured to A-League clubs and it remains to be seen how they live up to their encouraging signs.

“The A-League is the best thing to have happened to Australian soccer. It is a well structured and thoroughly professional operation which is smart enough to progress at a manageable rate. When players of the caliber of Brazil’s Juninho come on board, everybody realizes that this is for real. Within 10 years you can expect the comp to be up to 12 teams, including maybe three from Asia, and 30,000-plus gates as the norm.”

– Pat McLeod, chief sports writer, Gold Coast Bulletin

South Korea ( K- League):

K-League

Since its inception in 1983, the K-League has gone leaps and bounds and established itself as a very prestigious league. Again South Korea’s progress as a powerful national team has lot to to do with the strong domestic structure. With finance not playing any hindrance, K-League too has a big potential to match their European Counterparts. Ranked 29th in IFFSH ranking system, the K-League certainly packs a good punch.

However, a match fixing scandal has recently halted its progress and has made it a bit of a tough going for the League.

“At the top of the South Korean Football League System, K-League is the country’s highest and most prestigious level of football competition. Since its creation, the league has expanded and is now one of the strongest Leagues in Asia”

Mexico (Primera División De México):

Mexican League

Established as early as 1943, this league has one of the highest budgets of any outside Europe and is starting to gain attention internationally for all the right reasons. Funded by wealthy businessmen the League has grown both in terms of finance as well as footballing quality. The evolution of clubs like Pachuca are prime examples.

With a very good Television coverage, there is no shortage of popularity of this League. The signs are encouraging and it remains to be seem how the Mexican League maintain economic prosperity and in the same time develop in the footballing sense so as to keep up with the high-flying European Leagues.

“The Mexican league is gaining respect in other countries and the levels are good. The playoffs are exciting and the best thing is that there are many clubs who are all desperately fighting to prove they are the best.”

– Javier Cruz, Mexican soccer journalist

China (Chinese Super League):

Chinese Super League

The footballing credential of China has declined considerably in the last few years. Yet I have decided to place the Chinese League above the leagues in Saudi or Egypt. The only reason being China’s extraordinary rise as a sports nation in a last few years. Their performances in Olympics and other sporting events are very encouraging indeed. Hence, it is my firm belief that it will be not long before China steps up on the peddle to enhance their footballing reputation.

Again as the others, finance cannot play a spoilsport and hence it makes their route to development a considerably easier process. It remains to be seen when and how China flexes its muscle to create a league that can match the TOP standards.

Special Mention

Russia( Premier League):

The Russian League

It is an European League all-right but it still was one of the less fancied ones. However,according to an article in “soccerpubs”, if money talks loudest, then currently Russian football is screaming its head off . A football club is the plaything of choice for the new wave of billionaires who got rich after the fall of communism in Russia. Their fat wallets have paid for state-of-the-art stadiums, high-quality coaches and players and a bright future for the Russian league.

“Many Russian players now choose to stay at home instead of going elsewhere in Europe because there are good salaries available here. The standard is improving and Russia can be a powerhouse again, although it will take some time.”

– Rinat Dassaev, former Soviet Union goalkeeper and Russian football expert

The reason why the South American Leagues fell behind the European Leagues was the sheer money power of the teams in Europe. Players wanted a better living and more stardom. Hence, they flocked to Europe. However, in case of all the above leagues, finance and economy is not a problem at all. Hence that advantage enjoyed by the European leagues goes out of the window. Provided these league continue to march on the right track and create a good footballing scenario in their countries, I have this feeling that these European heavyweight Leagues might just have to run for their money. And in all likelihood that would do nothing but enhance the growth of Football as a whole. After-all Football is supposed to be a global phenomenon.

NOTE: Brazilian League is another league which has for long battled with the popularity of the European Leagues and even had its fair share of glory. This article,however, deals with the the first time emerging un-fancied leagues. Hence no mention for the highly competitive Brazilian League.