If the rumblings are to be believed, the 3pm blackout rule which prevents broadcasters from showing live football on TV could be scrapped in a huge move by the English Football League (EFL).
As per an exclusive report by Sportsmail, the EFL may be bringing an end to the footballing rule which has barred television from airing Saturday 3pm kick-offs for more than 60 years.
EFL shopping around for TV rights
The EFL is said to be awaiting fresh television rights bids from streaming services like Facebook, Netflix, Google, Apple and Amazon, as well as the current domestic rights holders Sky Sports and BT Sport, to air games in this slot.
According to the outlet, the tender document is understood to be a request for proposals rather than a fixed offering for games in the 2024/25 season.
As well as looking to innovate and mix up the broadcast market, the belief is that by selling more matches – especially ones that fans have been asking to be televised for decades – they can get a better deal than the current contracts.
The EFL have since issued a statement confirming that the “rights for all 1,891 matches across the League, EFL Cup, EFL Trophy and all end of season Play-Off matches are available for prospective bidders.”
Best estimates have it that they currently hold a £119million-a-year deal with Sky but are targeting a figure north of £200m. BT reportedly pays more despite showing fewer games.
At present, it is thought that there is no set number of fixtures or contract length and the footballing body, which includes the Premier League, is clearly willing to start airing the 3pm games.
His rationale was that airing these games in addition to all the others throughout the week would detriment matchday attendances at football stadiums around the country.
The decision was so far-reaching, in fact, that Article 48 of UEFA’s statutes allowed member nations to select a two-and-a-half-hour weekend slot where live football is banned from screens, though the rule didn’t have any actual impact in the UK until 1987 when ITV struck the first deal for football TV rights.
However, as has been proved throughout the modern football era in which the sport has been televised, the unparalleled experience of going to the footy has never really been threatened and fans still come in their droves, with very few seats left empty week in, week out.
There’s nothing quite like the atmosphere and active experience of going and watching the game in person, but not everyone can make it to the ground, let alone fork out even more money for away days.
Moreover, the success of the televised 3pm games during Covid should be reason enough, not to mention it would cut down on illegal streaming.
For many, watching at home on the telly is their only option and it’s about time the 3pms were part of it. Make it happen, people.
Catterall vs Eubank at AO Arena: will confidence or cocksureness pay off?
Danny Jones
The official press conference between Jack Catterall and Harlem Eubank got a touch heated in Manchester today, and not necessarily for the reasons you’d think.
Although there was certainly a bit of covert bite between the local lad and Eubank (nephew of Chris Eubank Sr.) most of bickering came as a result of an exchange between the latter and promoter and boxing manager, Sam Jones.
Who knows how much of the needle between entourages is genuine and what is simply for show, but there was plenty of jokes made about minced words, stuttering, wearing shades in doors and dodging on multiple levels. Catterall himself remained quiet and calm throughout.
Harlem’s backers firmly believe there is a lot more “skill” in his corner than can be said of his Chorley-born counterpart ahead of this weekend.
Nevertheless, the Manchester regular may have stayed largely modest throughout – as has always been his way – but he still had plenty of confidence and his own team reiterated that there he’ll prove “very difficult to beat.”
He even went on argue that he is “levels above him”, rubbishing any talk of a potential knockout risk.
On the other hand, they did admit that he “can’t afford an 8 or 10-rounder” at this point in his career and a need him to put in a performance.
Meanwhile, Harlem could not have been cocksure of himself and was happy to play into the Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn’s hands in terms of the stereotypical ‘arrogant’ back-yourself kind of boxer vs the quiet, understated, underdog.
Insisting that he wants to “become a world champion” and even squeezing in a dig at fellow Brit, Conor Benn – who will be facing his cousin Eubank Jr. in a rematch this September – labelling the 28-year-old an “alleged drug cheat”.
There was even more excitement over in the ‘Small Talk’ studio set up inside the AO Arena, as recently retired MMA fighter, ‘Meatball’ Molly McCann, had an announcement of her own.
The Catterall vs Eubank press conference had another big bonus up its sleeve.
Over in the ‘Small Talk’ studio over to the side, confirmation from Eddie Hearn that Molly McCann, was announced as the latest Matchroom signing.
It was said that she expects to undertake her first seven or eight fights within the space of year, telling media that “this was always the plan” and despite “lots of offers” from different promotions, “There’s no other place [she’d] rather be.”
Hearn went on to state that he can see her competing for a title “within months”, adding: “I truly believe she’ll be a world champion.”
Featured Images — The Manc Group/press shots (supplied)
Sport
‘The Brand With the 3 Stripes’: adidas returns to Market Street with dedicated Manchester Oasis shop
Danny Jones
Manchester’s famous Market Street adidas store has reopened as quite possibly the most mega and, certainly, the most Manc shop on the high street– thanks to Oasis.
Amidst their already iconic collaboration with the global sports apparel name, Oasis have followed up their recently opened pop-up shop with another bold and (go on, we’ll say it) BIBLICAL building dedicated entirely to the ‘band with the three stripes’.
Or should we say brand?*…
You’ll have to have been living under an entire ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll Star’ to have missed this crossover, but it really does have to be visited in person to truly appreciate.
The Oasis x adidas shop is sure to be a big Manchester attraction in its own right. (Credit: The Manc Group)
With tonnes of memorabilia, genuine artist artefacts, a shed-load of every adidas Originals shoe model imaginable; dedicated Live ‘25 tour printing, buckets of buckets hats and simply more merch than you can shake a tambourine at, it’s a genuinely incredible space.
In fact, we’d wager you don’t even have to be a fan of the legendary Britpop band to enjoy the massively overhauled rooms.
Put it this way, if you like adidas, the effortlessly cool nature of Manc culture, or even just really, really good quality sports, street and casual-wear, you’ll get something out of this.
Besides the archive walls, photo-booth (which we spent an inordinate amount of time in) and all the other nods to Noel and Liam, there is still a standard adidas Originals floor upstairs.
With a corner still set aside for the usual football stuff, a whole wall of their different shoes with detailed explanation and story behind each type, plus even more fitting rooms.
The Market St shop is almost unrecognisable compared to what it used to be like – you kind of only recognise because it’s still in the same spot – and it really does feel akin to a home for the much-loved brand, the city that wears its logo not just like a uniform but a badge of honour, and a shrine to our Oasis.
Separate from the pop-up merch stores that have appeared over in Spinningfields, London is the only other place that will be getting a store like this, and with stocks of almost every item available quite literally selling out as fast as tickets did, this is one of the few places you’ll still find them.
With that in mind, we couldn’t help but walk away with our own customised Oasis ‘Live 25 World Tour ‘Jacquard’ football jersey, complete with our own branding on the back. Not quite on the same level as adidas or Oasis, but we’ll take it.
You’re damn right we’re framing this one… (Credit: The Manc)
We also still have a competition for you to win two tickets to see the Burnage boys in the flesh on their ‘Live 25 reunion tour this summer, so don’t forget to enter HERE.
Roll on Heaton Park and please let Oasis’ marriage with the adi-trefoil insignia ‘Live Forever’.
Danny Jones -
13th October 2022 
