How exactly can we improve Premier League financing?

In recent years, one phrase has emerged to become a buzzword for English Premier League betting pundits: ‘big spenders’. Yet, with new UEFA financing rules that determine eligibility to take part in European competitions soon to take effect, and with teams aware that the recession has seen a huge drop in demand for season tickets at the majority of clubs, could we finally be on the cusp of seeing the best league in the world also become the best run?

Take for example a new initiative by the Arsenal Supporters Trust. Instead of taking part in marches, sniping from the sidelines, or waving Norwich City scarves instead of their own team’s colours, Gunners fans have worked with the board (including members of which the fanbase is hostile to) in order to implement a new scheme that they hope will eventually see Arsenal fans having a real say in how the football club is run.

This new scheme sees Arsenal fans being able to acquire ‘fanshares’, 100 of which account for a share in Arsenal Football Club. With Arsenal shares trading for anything up to £10,000, the £100 required to buy a fanshare (which are then clubbed together by the supporters’ trust to create whole shares) means that fans can make as big, or as little, a contribution as they like, opening up the running of the club to all fans regardless of wealth.

Whilst it is in its early days, the scheme has attracted praise from the Premier League, UEFA, those who analyse football odds and the current UK government to name but a few. Should this scheme prove to be successful, we may well see it utilised by clubs across the country, helping
to bring the best league in the world closer to its fans.