European Super League reborn as Unify League: New format, new name, and official proposal

The European Super League has taken a significant step towards becoming a reality with a new format, a new name, and an official proposal. A22 Sports Management, the company behind the Super League, has unveiled its rebranded competition called the “Unify League” and formally submitted plans to UEFA and FIFA.

This latest development comes after the European Court of Justice’s ruling in December 2023, which effectively ended UEFA’s monopoly on European football competitions. A22 has seized this opportunity to revive the controversial project with substantial modifications to address previous criticisms.

The Unify League aims to be “the most exciting football competition in the world” and promises a more inclusive and meritocratic structure. Unlike the original Super League proposal, which faced backlash for its closed format, the new competition will base qualification on annual domestic league performance.

The proposed format includes 96 clubs divided into four leagues: Star, Gold, Blue, and Union. The Star and Gold leagues will each have 16 teams split into two groups of eight, while the Blue and Union leagues will feature 32 teams each in four groups of eight. Teams will play 14 matches in the group stage, with the top teams advancing to knockout rounds.

Real Madrid and Barcelona remain the most prominent backers of the project. Real Madrid’s general director, José Ángel Sánchez, recently emphasized the club’s commitment to the Super League concept during a lecture at Harvard University. He stated, “The current governing bodies of football are like the musicians on the Titanic; the system as we know it is finished. This was the logic behind the Super League, and it is even more urgent now.”

A key feature of the Unify League is its proposed broadcasting model. A22 plans to stream all matches for free through a Netflix-style platform called “Unify,” with an option for ad-free viewing through a paid subscription.

While the Unify League faces significant challenges, including opposition from many top European clubs and leagues, A22 remains confident in its vision. The company has submitted its proposal to UEFA and FIFA, seeking official recognition for the new competition.

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