Sunderland CEO Rodwell backs Project Big Picture proposals
Sunderland CEO Jim Rodwell has voiced his ‘cautious’ support for the controversial ‘Project Big Picture’ plans to reshape English football.
The plans, designed by the owners of Liverpool and Manchester United, have been publicly backed by EFL Chairman Rick Parry.
It would see £250 million advanced to EFL clubs, as well as drastically increasing their share of the Premier League’s broadcast revenue in the years ahead.
However, the plans have proved deeply divisive as they will also give the ‘big six’ significantly increased voting rights. ThePremierLeaguewouldalso be cut to 18 teams.
Rodwell has spoken in ‘cautious’ support of the plans in an interview with Sky Sports News, adding that there were elements that the club would not support.
“We’ve had a look at the detail that is available to us at the moment,” he said.
"Our overarching feeling is that it's a proposal worth consideration. I don't think it's the finished document by any stretch, but it's certainly worthy of consideration. At the meeting I was at, the League One clubs overwhelmingly gave it their cautious support.
"We all want to see more detail, but where these proposals start often isn’t where they end up. It could potentially lead to sustainability, which is a model that we aim for.
“I think it’s well put-together proposal. There are flaws in
there, there are things that we wouldn’t be happy with [promotion/relegation changes].
“It’s a way of redistributing the wealth. At the moment the business model in the EFL is fundamentally broken at most clubs. Most are spending more than they earn and that’s not sustainable.
"T h e re a re s o m e go o d things in there for supporters, such as subsidised away travel.
"If something good is to come out of this awful pandemic this (Project Big Picture) could be it,” he added.
"The plans don’t hurt anyone in a meaningful way.
“At the moment, I don’t see a Plan B. Liverpool, Man United & Rick Parry should be applauded for trying to do something for the game. They’ve done something and there is something to discuss.
On Saturday, there was nothing.
"It’s not just a handout, it’s a way of aiding sustainability.
"We have an obligation to look after the game in a holistic fashion. How much are we losing without spectators?
"I won’t go into figures, but it’s big, big numbers. We will keep treading water until someone throws us a life buoy."
Rodwell says Sunderland are in ‘better shape than most’ EFL teams, but claimed that many will struggle to survive the month without intervention.
He also revealed that the Black Cats had been ready to hold a test event to bring a limited number of supporters back to the Stadium of Light, before the government prevented the project from continuing.
"Sunderland are in better shape than most, but clubs will topple at the end of this month,” Rodwell said.
“It’s heartbreaking that fans can’t get in. We were ready to go with a pilot event against Peterbrough last month but got the rug pulled from under our feet.
"We believe we can get a certain number of fans in and out safely to a 49,000-seater stadium.”