Conference Clubs Gets £1m Boost
The Premier League has made a one-off £1m payment to help the 68 Conference football clubs cope with the current adverse economic conditions.
The Conference, which comprises the 3 leagues below the Football League, is still seeking another broadcaster after the demise of Irish company Setanta three months ago.
Premier League chief Richard Scudamore said: ‘The Conference is an integral part of the football pyramid. It was absolutely the right thing to do.’
On top of the economic recession, the Conference leagues which include the Blue Square Premier, North and South, have had to deal with the collapse of Setanta in June this year.
The clubs had been two years into a five-year deal worth £2.5m with Blue Square Premier sides receiving a minimum of £70,000 a year and clubs in the North and South taking £15,000 each.
Scudamore said: ‘The Premier League clubs discussed the current financial difficulties facing their counterparts in the Conference and were happy to be in the position to help them out with some financial support.’
The move follows the news that talks over a deal with ESPN to televise Blue Square Premier matches had broken down, although the Football Conference remain committed to securing a broadcast partner.
