Derby are linked to breakaway move from the EFL

DERBY County are understood to be among the clubs threatening a breakaway from the EFL as the row over TV money rumbles on.

The Rams feel they should be getting more money from television coverage and are unhappy with the terms of a new deal with Sky.

They are believed to have the backing of the likes of Leeds United and Aston Villa.

In fact, The Sun is reporting that as many as 15 Championship clubs are opposing the deal and say they will break away from the EFL if their objections are not resolved.

The report says that the EFL has given the clubs a week to reconsider their position. The new five-year TV deal will be worth around £120m. Championship clubs would pocket almost £3m apiece, plus a share of £17.7m based on appearances. Currently, they receive £2.3m and a share of £10.8m for appearance fees.

Clubs opposing the deal are also said to be unhappy with all midweek Championship fixtures now being available to watch live on Sky Sports via the red button service, arguing that this has had an adverse effect on attendances.

In December 2016, Derby owner Mel Morris sent a letter to all 72 members clubs to ask for their backing in taking on the League over the issue of the TV deal. He also sent a copy to EFL chief executive Shaun Harvey.

And last month, Leeds owner Andrea Radrizzani publicly called for the Championship to be replaced by a “Premier League Two”.

Speaking at the Leaders Sport Business Summit in London, the 44-year-old Italian said: “The model of the Championship should be reconsidered because to keep changing owners every one, two, three years is not a fair system for the fans, for the clubs.

“It is really not sustainable to stay in the Championship, there are huge gaps between clubs coming down from the Premier League with parachute payments to the other teams on lower budgets. And the money generated from TV rights is small because it is split between 72 clubs.

“Maybe they need to consider another way to create value, Premier League Two or something, that is sustainable even for the people who are not promoted.”

A League spokesman said: “The EFL sells its domestic broadcasting rights on behalf of its 72 members across the three EFL divisions.

“Recently, a number of Championship clubs have raised some questions in regard to the value being generated by the sale of those rights.

“These views have been shared with the EFL Board who are currently considering the matter.”