The problem is, Tottenham’s business model has set a precedent. Other clubs, seeing the revenue streams Spurs have unlocked, are now scrambling to follow suit. Less than 24 hours after the match, Aston Villa themselves proudly announced a Kendrick Lamar concert at Villa Park in the summer. Their fans celebrated the news as though they had reached a cup final —not because it impacts football directly, but because it means more money, which could (theoretically) be spent on the squad.
This is where I take issue. Clubs should not be forced into becoming entertainment conglomerates to compete. Their core competency is football. Revenue should come from footballing activities—ticket sales, broadcasting, sponsorships, and player development—not music festivals or business conferences. The game is heading down a slippery slope where financial clout, not footballing vision, dictates success.
At some point, there needs to be a hard stop. A salary cap tied to football-related revenues could be a solution, ensuring clubs focus on building teams, not business portfolios. Otherwise, we risk turning soccer clubs into event management firms that just happen to field a team on the weekends.
It’s time to realign priorities. Fans deserve football-first clubs, not corporate juggernauts masquerading as teams.
Disclaimer: This piece was generated by ChatGPT based on my inputs. I wanted to test how well AI could capture my sentiments, and I have to say—I’m pleasantly surprised awestruck by the result. It perfectly encapsulates what I was thinking.
