European Super League set to attempt relaunch in 2024

Officials of the failed European Super League are ready to look at a relaunch for the competition. The Financial Times reports that talks are currently ongoing. The league expects a fresh slate within the next three years.

Although the ESL fell flat almost immediately after forming, there are still three big clubs that have continued operations on a corporate level. Barcelona, Real Madrid and Juventus are the only remaining teams of the original dozen to technically not back out of the ESL. And the trio has not given up hopes to revive the idea.

The project even hired a new boss. A22 Sports Management appointed Bernd Reichart, a media and sports executive, as CEO. The firm currently represents the ESL. Reichart’s tasks include resurrecting the competition with an aim to make both fans and clubs happy.

“We want to reach out to stakeholders in the European football community and broaden this vision,” Reichart explained to the Financial Times. “Even fans will have a lot of sympathy for the idea. It is a blank slate. Format will never be an obstacle.” 

The ESL originally planned to create a closed structure competition to replace the UEFA Champions League. This essentially meant no relegation or exits for clubs in the league. Officials claimed that the UCL consists of too many boring, meaningless matches. Fans, however, overwhelmingly hated the idea.

Planned European Super League relaunch in coming years

Nevertheless, Reichart conceded that changes to the format would be necessary. “There is a reassessment. There is a clearly stated move towards an open format and that permanent membership is off the table,” continued Reichart. “We want to see whether or not there is broader consensus about the problems facing European football.”

Reichart did not exactly nail down a timeframe for the ESL; however, he did claim that it would be “reasonable” to re-launch the competition during 2024 or 2025.

Despite acknowledging that tweaks to the format are needed, it still appears difficult to please all parties involved. Fans and UEFA have clearly made their voices heard. In fact, the ESL and UEFA are currently in a legal battle over the matter.

ESL officials are claiming that UEFA overstepped the law when they helped block the competition’s formation. A formal ruling on the situation may not be officially given until next spring.