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English Premier League

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE OVER THE YEARS

While the English Premier League (EPL) takes place in England, it attracts attention globally. People look forward to the clashes, eagerly predicting the winning teams. And thanks to sites like Bet365, anyone can be part of this wagering excitement. Moreover, they can keep tabs on their favorite teams by reviewing the constant stats and odds updates. But what makes this league so popular, and how has it changed over the years?

A Walk Down the EPL Memory Lane

The EPL is arguably one of the most-watched football leagues. It comprises 20 clubs at any given season. These clubs fight to remain in the league and win the title. And those that perform dismally face relegations while formerly relegated clubs get the chance for promotions. The possibility of relegation often forces clubs to work hard and beat each other. And the allure of the EPL title pushes the top teams to push for wins aggressively. The league is often so hotly contested that even strong teams sometimes fight not to get relegated.

So, how did it all start? The EPL was not always the EPL. Instead, it began as the FA Premier League in 1992 when the top-tier league clubs decided to break away from the English football league (EFL). While this division is still in place, teams that do not do well in the EPL can get relegated to the EFL Championship. In the same way, teams in the EFL that show exceptional performance can rub shoulders with the top-tier teams.

The division was not by chance. Instead, it was a way to salvage the situation. Towards the end of the 1980s, football viewership had dwindled. Fans were not as excited about the games, the stadiums were witnessing low turnouts, and hooliganism was spreading fast. And with this attitude, maintaining the stadiums and paying the staff had become a challenge.

Moreover, English clubs were walking a fine line as they had been banned from the European competition following the Heysel Stadium Disaster. And believe it or not, the first division in the English Football League was lagging behind the other leagues in almost all aspects. English players had even started seeking greener pastures, unable to deal with the situation back home.

These changes prompted clubs to change their approaches. They started investing more in management to increase their revenue, leading to the interest in Division One clubs to break away from the football league. Their break allowed them to gain more control over sponsorships, television streams, and more. And since the teams were top-tier, the clubs could demand more from television companies and sponsors; this money went into renovating stadiums, hiring experienced staff, and renumerating the players. While only some were on board with the First Division breaking away, projections showed this would be the best way to generate interest and revenue in English football.

The EPL championships began in 1992. And in the first eight seasons, Manchester United won six times, Arsenal got one win, and Blackburn Rovers clinched one win. Interestingly, these teams were so dominant that when they did not win, they usually got the runners-up positions, save for 92-93 when Aston Villa got the second position. In the 2000-2010 seasons, Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea dominated the rankings, with 10, 10, 7, and 8 appearances in the top 4 rankings. From 2011 to 2020, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Tottenham ranked severally among the top 4 and top 6 slots.

And in the 2020-2030 decade, Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Tottenham are still making waves in the top four and top six rankings. These teams have come to be known as the Big Six as they attract a lot of attention, have huge fanbases, and often pool the best talent.

Was the restructuring of the league worth it? Of course! The EPL has created a favorable football environment and resulted in added revenue and better talent. The viewership, sponsorships, and awards have enriched the EPL clubs so much that they boast some of the highest-paid footballers globally. They thus stand as a testament to the fact that change can sometimes be the best thing for a person or company!

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