Sky and EFL building bridges with Leeds United fans after announcement
Sky and the EFL might be able to build some bridges with Leeds United supporters amid the new TV deal announced earlier this year, says David Norris.
The former Whites midfielder believes the vow from the broadcast giant [The Athletic, 8 May] to announce its live EFL schedule through until January can satisfy match-going supporters better than in past years.
Another move as part of the gargantuan £935m deal between the league and Sky Sports is that there will be more parity in broadcast between the EFL divisions, meaning Championship clubs will have a maximum of 24 matches moved for TV coverage [The Athletic, 25 June], as opposed to the 33 Leeds had last season – often at relatively short notice, which understandably angered travelling fans.
Former Whites midfielder Norris, exclusively speaking to MOT Leeds News, said: “I think it will help appease supporters and give them one less thing to complain about, it certainly didn’t help in the past when kick-offs were changed at the last minute.
“Leeds fans did have to settle for the fact that when they’re outside the Premier League, they are the big fish in a small pond and will be televised as much as the broadcasters can. It’s a price you pay as a big club.
“Even thousands of local fans will watch Leeds on TV as it can be hard to get a ticket at Elland Road as well. But this new move will definitely help restore a few bridges and help the supporters out a fair bit more.”
Leeds United fans v Sky Sports
It’s been made very clear in recent years the fury with which match-going Leeds United supporters view their treatment from Sky, with fixtures consistently being moved for TV – often at short notice.
As a collective, a scary sum has been spent down the years by fans on travel, unpaid leave and accommodation expenses for matches only for them to be rearranged.
Perhaps one of the less obvious benefits away from the football calibre itself of being in the Premier League was the lack of primary focus on Leeds from broadcasters when compared with the likes of Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal.
But as what Norris describes as a “big fish in a small pond”, Leeds have often been treated – along with the likes of Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest and Sunderland whilst in the EFL – as somewhat of a “cash cow” to rake in the viewership whilst in the second tier and at the mercy of a different corporation.
Daniel Farke’s side begin their Championship season at home to Portsmouth on 10 August live on newly-launched channel Sky Sports+, before returning to Sky Sports Main Event away at West Brom the following week – both matches at 12:30pm.
In other Leeds news, Cody Drameh is set to join Hull City despite European interest.
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