Coronavirus will change the Premier League forever – the days of mega wages and massive broadcasting deals are over

A LEADING lawyer believes the shape of sport will change forever if the coronavirus crisis continues into summer. And the knock-on economic effect of the outbreak could ultimately see some sports returning to the days when players were semi-professional. Top sports lawyer Richard Cramer is convinced the pandemic means the days of eye-watering football broadcast […]

A LEADING lawyer believes the shape of sport will change forever if the coronavirus crisis continues into summer.

And the knock-on economic effect of the outbreak could ultimately see some sports returning to the days when players were semi-professional.

Front Row Legal

Top sports lawyer Richard Cramer is convinced the pandemic means the days of eye-watering football broadcast deals and players on mega wages of £300,000 a week will come to a shuddering halt.

Leeds-based Cramer, a managing partner for Front Row Legal solicitors, said: “All the money football gets, from sponsorship and broadcasting, is in danger of a huge decline.

“When we are through this, it’s inevitable there will be an adjusting down. That means broadcasting rights, sponsors, the lot. Wages will drop and the ridiculously high contracts players are on will end.

“Unless normality returns in a month or two, the shape of football as we know it will change forever. As a consequence, that leads to a massive impact on the whole of sport.

“Take Sky — if their subscriptions drop, the money suddenly isn’t coming in to the same extent.

“So the fact they will want to renegotiate the rights deal is a natural follow-on.”

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Rugby league could be one of the biggest casualties should Sky be forced into drastic action to keep football at the forefront of its coverage.

Cramer added: “Rugby league could find itself as almost collateral damage.

“It could see a return to the days when the sport was semi-professional.”