sport news Premier League games WILL be held in the USA, Chris Sutton predicts on It's All ... trends now
Premier League games will controversially be held in the United States in the future, Chris Sutton has argued, but he believes the move is simply to 'look after the elite'.
American broadcasting giant NBC is keen for top-flight games to be played in the US on the opening weekend of the season and a senior executive at the company has said there will be a 'renewed' push to make the proposal a reality.
NBC is the Premier League's broadcast partner in the US and its current TV deal, which is worth £2billion over six seasons, is also the largest outside of the UK.
Richard Masters, the Premier League's chief executive, has admitted the door is open to fixtures being moved to the States - but there are currently no plans to do so.
The Premier League previously looked to host fixtures overseas in 2008 - the ill-fated 39th game push - but plans were dropped after a fierce backlash from supporters.
Premier League games will be held in the United States in the future, Chris Sutton believes
Broadcaster NBC wants top-flight matches to be played in the US at the start of the season
Sutton, however, expects figures to U-turn on the idea.
'I do I think it will happen eventually, probably because money dictates everything,' Sutton said on the latest episode of the It's All Kicking Off podcast.
'But just think back to the start of the season. Do you think the US audience would have enjoyed an opening game of Sheffield United against Burnley?
'It's about just looking after the big boys, isn't it, commercially? Looking after the elite. And that's why it stinks a bit. It will not stink if it's the same across the board. If everybody is involved and every team in the Premier League gets a shot at it.'
Mail Sport Football Editor Ian
