In most American sports there’s salary caps to keep a level playing field. It’s beautiful bc Detroit Lions fans have ALWAYS had a garbage team, but now that they have a good coaching staff and some good talent, they can compete and are one of the better teams in the league. But in Europe, low level teams will generally NEVER compete with top teams. Is it uncommon in Europe due to the fact that every big league kinda wants a team from their league to compete in the UEFA Champions League? Therefore no league puts a salary cap on bc they’d be limiting themselves of the biggest trophy and prize money? So, the only way around that would have ALL top leagues to agree on a salary cap across the board, which would logistically be a nightmare right? And that’s why they wouldn’t do it? Like, in what universe does Hertha Berlin belong in the same league as Bayern last year? Sorry, I’m fascinated by the sport and I’m GENUINELY a fan now, just curious is all. Ty

  • mr_iwi@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    If there was a salary cap, then any surplus income that can’t be paid to the team would be kept by the board members. Currently the money goes to the players. As the players are the ones generating the income and creating the value, the majority of people are pleased with them profiting from their labour.

    As a footnote, leagues without promotion and relegation are not seen by many (association) football fans as equitable.

    • Chemical-Idea-1294@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      And in many leagues clubs are real clubs, not businesses. The club members are the owners (Barca, Benfica, Bayern…)

    • CallMeLouieC@alien.topOPBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      There’s definitely a problem with board members pocketing more money, but generally speaking in the US, if a team makes more money than they’re allowed to spend (they usually do) it gets pumped into city programs and such. Now some of those city programs can be corrupt forsure and in the worst case only 20% of the money goes to the school/roads/housing after politicians get their fingers on it.

      • mr_iwi@alien.topBEnglish
        1·
        10 months ago

        That’s really interesting, I never would have thought that public infrastructure would be funded by privately owned sports teams.

        • Constant-Self-2942@alien.topBEnglish
          1·
          10 months ago

          Well, in the US they use public money (tax dollars) to build private stadiums that the teams play in so it does seem fair

      • jimbranningstuntman@alien.topBEnglish
        1·
        10 months ago

        Surplus money going to charitable causes is a great idea, does it work in reality? And what happens when a team like the raiders cant decide where they are from? Does Oakland still get the hand outs or did it go to Los Angeles and Las Vegas when they moved?