West Brom chairman Shilen Patel says an ‘odd’ rule is making the Premier League less ‘interesting’ and makes a proposal to solve it.
PSR (Profit and Sustainability Rules) constraints has limited losses to £39m over three years in the Championship.
West Brom has sold Torbjorn Heggem to Bologna for financial flexibility, with Patel criticising PSR for creating inequality, especially in the Premier League where big clubs dominate, reducing competition.
In the The Price of Football Podcast earlier this week, he called for consistent rules across tiers, such as squad cost ratios or luxury taxes, to promote parity like in the Championship.
He also argued that PSR hinders promoted teams’ survival in the Premier League, widening the gap, and calls for reform or abolition to help clubs like West Brom establish themselves.
He also raised some other interesting points, his self-confessed love of business, the importance of detachment from impulses of football, the importance of a legacy as well as the present and future, and the importance of lender relationship when he took over.
Today’s @POF_POD with @kevinhunterday is an exclusive interview with @shilensays, owner of @WBA about why he fell in love with football, why he chose the Albion above other club opportunities, ambitions at the club and much more Baggies chat
⚽️ https://t.co/IyYym86iIu
🎧…— Kieran Maguire (@KieranMaguire) August 15, 2025
He told The Price of Football Podcast: “First and foremost I find it odd that when you move through the tiers there are different rules at different tiers so at a minimum there should be some consistency.
“I think moving from profit and loss to at least the squad cost ratio system and more broadly there are long conversations about things that could work like a luxury tax, but I think there is a way to balance what the higher revenue clubs want to do with something that keeps the league interesting which I’m concerned is something that is going away.
“There is a way to balance what the highest revenue clubs want to do with something that keeps the league interesting, which I am concerned is something that is going away if you look at the last season in the Premier League, you knew who was going to win the league, you knew who was going to be relegated.
“Whereas in the Championship, with all the parity it has, with two weekends left to go, everyone in the league was in a position to potentially make the play-offs or potentially be relegated, there were just little bits in the middle to be worked out.
“But I think that speaks more to the type of balance you would want and even moving between the tiers you would want to see people faring differently and for there to be a little more parity.”
Here’s how fans reacted after West Brom owner Shilen Patel appeared on the podcast and says the ‘odd’ PSR rule is making the Premier League less ‘interesting’ and makes a proposal…
@davesmith442: in an industry where the boom or bust gamble of trying to get in the prem was revered by a lot of fans & owners, I’m glad we have a knowledgeable and smart owner, it may not appear to be as exciting as the razzmatazz at BCFC but one that wba fans should be equally as thankful for
@conradchircop: Fantastic listen, thanks @KieranMaguire. Highly appreciated @shilensays ‘s professional yet candid views. What I would like to ask him is any ambitions of one day lifting a knockout trophy, particularly the FA Cup which holds a special place in our heart. Greetings from Malta.
@enjaybeedotcom: So refreshing having an owner in @shilensays that’s really gets ‘it’.
@floydy1983: Great interview. We’re in very safe hands with @shilensays at the helm 🔵⚪️
@jimmythewhack: Great listen that is lads. Obviously what hes trying to achieve is important but generally sounds like a good person too. You need good people around you and especially people who are looking after your club. Well done again. Great interview
@OneDaveHendo: Great listen guys, we’ve got a gem of an owner in @shilensays . Up the Baggies!
@Butroswba: This is tremendous listening for fans of The Albion. @shilensays is very impressive – inspirational leader. In fact, now I think about it, maybe I should apply to work there!
@BaggiesAnalyst: An absolute must listen for #wba fans, Shilen is a great interview and provides some valuable insight into how Bilkul plan to grow the club in a sustainable and make something the fans can be proud of.
@8en1990: Sounds great to have such an intelligent, balanced, strategic owner and chairman #wba
@LastBlairite: #WBA very pleased to have Shilen as our owner. A down to earth man, with realistic aims guided by understanding the importance and responsibilities of owning a football club. Never felt better about his stewardship.
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