Is soccer the new NBA?

Small clubs. That’s what he meant. Honestly, I think it's just plain stupid. This kind of thing had to happen in the US because, let's face it, there isn't much international flair over there anyway (well, maybe if you count those two teams from Canada). What the Champions League actually gives us is that rush of watching the absolute giants battle it out every two weeks. Once we find out who the winner is in May, we just spend the summer counting down the days until the next season starts. And like Ethan Perez97 said, if we had matches like this every single Saturday and Sunday, it would be just as exciting as watching San Francisco vs. Ohio. I'm not saying those aren't good teams—I actually root for Ohio—but the hype is on a whole different level when you've got Real Madrid and Bayern Munich on the pitch. Not to mention how much it would tank the quality of all the other leagues. I mean, where did guys like Shevchenko, Zidane, or Nedved come from? They came from smaller leagues that would become even weaker under this system, while actual young talents would just wither away while a bunch of grandfathers played in the G16.

Jacob Howard2 said:fans 😕 🤣

Yeah, sure. They prove their worth every single year in their domestic leagues and cup competitions. Real Madrid and FC Barcelona wouldn't be who they are if they weren't sitting at the top of the Spanish league 95% of the time. Just throw 18 random teams into that elite league and what happens then? Bayern Munich ends up hovering around 10th place every season, and PSV Eindhoven drops even lower. These clubs live to be number one or right next to it. If they aren't, 90% of them just become losers.

blueseal said:Small clubs. That’s what he meant. Honestly, I think it's just plain stupid. This kind of thing had to happen in the US because, let's face it, there isn't much international flair over there anyway (well, maybe if you count those two teams from Canada). What the Champions League actually gives us is that rush of watching the absolute giants battle it out every two weeks. Once we find out who the winner is in May, we just spend the summer counting down the days until the next season starts. And like Ethan Perez97 said, if we had matches like this every single Saturday and Sunday, it would be just as exciting as watching San Francisco vs. Ohio. I'm not saying those aren't good teams—I actually root for Ohio—but the hype is on a whole different level when you've got Real Madrid and Bayern Munich on the pitch. Not to mention how much it would tank the quality of all the other leagues. I mean, where did guys like Shevchenko, Zidane, or Nedved come from? They came from smaller leagues that would become even weaker under this system, while actual young talents would just wither away while a bunch of grandfathers played in the G16.

That’s exactly why a draft is necessary to pull the top talent out of those smaller leagues...🙂

blueseal said:Small clubs. That’s what he meant. Honestly, I think it's just plain stupid. This kind of thing had to happen in the US because, let's face it, there isn't much international flair over there anyway (well, maybe if you count those two teams from Canada). What the Champions League actually gives us is that rush of watching the absolute giants battle it out every two weeks. Once we find out who the winner is in May, we just spend the summer counting down the days until the next season starts. And like Ethan Perez97 said, if we had matches like this every single Saturday and Sunday, it would be just as exciting as watching San Francisco vs. Ohio. I'm not saying those aren't good teams—I actually root for Ohio—but the hype is on a whole different level when you've got Real Madrid and Bayern Munich on the pitch. Not to mention how much it would tank the quality of all the other leagues. I mean, where did guys like Shevchenko, Zidane, or Nedved come from? They came from smaller leagues that would become even weaker under this system, while actual young talents would just wither away while a bunch of grandfathers played in the G16.

Look, people tune into the Champions League to see FC Barcelona, Manchester United, or Inter Milan. Nobody is sitting around watching Lille OSC, RSC Anderlecht, or Olympiacos—and they definitely aren't watching teams from
Dinamo Bratislava, Moscow, Bucharest, Tirana, or Chicago...

It’s impossible to give you a straight answer because there are just way too many moving parts involved.
But if you want the bottom line? It’s fine, sure—but only for the people actually inside the tent. Everyone else? They’re getting fleeced.

Richard Wilson4 said:Look, people tune into the Champions League to see FC Barcelona, Manchester United, or Inter Milan. Nobody is sitting around watching Lille OSC, RSC Anderlecht, or Olympiacos—and they definitely aren't watching teams from
Dinamo Bratislava, Moscow, Bucharest, Tirana, or Chicago...

Honestly? I watch the Champions League specifically because of those underdog clubs. I'm just sitting there hoping one of them pulls off a massive upset against the giants.

gentleranger10 said:Honestly? I watch the Champions League specifically because of those underdog clubs. I'm just sitting there hoping one of them pulls off a massive upset against the giants.

Honestly, I don't give a damn about the small clubs. They're pathetic and play such boring, defensive football.

Football—and honestly, sports in general—ought to be treated as a game first and foremost, rather than just another corporate business venture

Betty Perez70 said:Football—and honestly, sports in general—ought to be treated as a game first and foremost, rather than just another corporate business venture

Look, marriage should be built on love and respect, but man, life happens...🤣

Betty Perez70 said:Football—and honestly, sports in general—ought to be treated as a game first and foremost, rather than just another corporate business venture

I have to wonder what century you think we're living in... 🤣

I’m honestly dying to know if Liverpool FC actually stands a chance in this Champions League 🤣
I mean, they could probably go out and crush FC Barcelona on their own turf, then turn around and lose to Southampton...
But hey, when the big dogs are playing this well, maybe they’ll actually take home the trophy in this new league.

8 for, 22 against, but hey, you guys are such romantics... 😁