The Premier League is adamant that it can overcome huge logistical challenges to get players back on the pitch during the coronavirus crisis but has long since accepted there will be no fans in the stadiums.
English Football Association chairman Greg Clarke became the latest senior figure to admit this week that social-distancing guidelines make it impossible for supporters to congregate in stadiums "any time soon".
The drive behind the Premier League's "Project Restart" is the attempt to avoid having to pay back millions in TV revenue. Clubs could reportedly miss out on 762 million pound ($946 million) for failing to complete this season alone.
According to UEFA's latest European Club Footballing Landscape report, just 13 percent of the Premier League's revenue comes from gate receipts.
England's top tier therefore has the luxury many other leagues cannot afford of trying to ride out the economic storm without paying fans coming to watch in the stadium.
"We might not like it, it might not be the perfect solution, but it is the only solution that we've got to move forward," David Webber, a senior lecturer in football studies at Solent University, told AFP.
However, the billions in television revenues the Premier League has been able to tap into is not only thanks to the quality of the players on the field but the atmosphere provided by thousands of passionate fans.
"The whole economic model only works when the grounds are pretty full," said Richard Scudamore, who oversaw the Premier League's growth into a vast commercial giant from 1999 to 2018.
"No actor likes playing in front of an empty hall," he told the Telegraph.
- June restart? - =================
"But I think the novelty will wear off very quickly when you realise that actually a large part of what drives the game is not just the people on the pitch, but the people in the stands."
"If they haven't got that to feed off, is the quality of football going to be there and ultimately will the televisual experience be there?"
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors
Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share
Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor
Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements
Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app