AP Photo/Matt Dunham
JPMorgan faced the ire of soccer fans on Tuesday after it was revealed that the bank was backing the European Super League to the tune of about $4 billion.
On Sunday, 12 top clubs from England, Italy, and Spain, including Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Manchester United, announced plans to participate in the new, closed league. The announcement sparked a significant backlash in the sports community. Top players, as well as government officials, spoke out against the new league.
And by Tuesday afternoon, several clubs, including Barcelona and Manchester City, reportedly decided to withdraw from the league following criticism. Chelsea fans protested outside the team's stadium on Tuesday, leading the club to withdraw the same day.
On Twitter, numerous soccer fans called for a boycott of JPMorgan.
"If your bank is @jpmorgan you simply have to move your money elsewhere," one fan posted on Twitter. "Say NO to the #SuperLeague."
Tweet Embed://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1384175473593241601?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
my take on the #SuperLeague is if your club supports it, you need to have a think about your club. Yeah you @Arsenal. If your bank is @jpmorgan you simply have to move your money elsewhere.
Say NO to the #SuperLeague
Fans also called for a boycott of services that would stream the Super League games, pointing fingers at Amazon and ESPN.
"To all footbalfans: if the SuperLeague arrives, refuse to choose the TVchannels they will use: If they cannot make money, JP Morgan and the greedy clubs will soon loose their appetite," one Twitter user wrote.
Tweet Embed://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1384516895899066371?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
To all footbalfans: if the SuperLeague arrives, refuse to choose the TVchannels they will use: If they cannot make money, JP Morgan and the greedy clubs will soon loose their appetite.
Streaming rights to the European Super League could be a major boon to media groups like ESPN and Amazon Prime, likely on par with the NFL.
Amazon responded to claims the company would stream the Super League events and said it "understands and shares the concerns of fans." The company said it has not been involved in any discussions about the new league.
Tweet Embed://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1384507214530973696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Amazon Prime Video statement on the proposed Super League: pic.twitter.com/FCHc94yDns
A primary concern among fans was that the new league meant increased control over the game from American corporations. The Super League would be more reminiscent of US sports leagues than European ones, as the league would no longer regulate teams to lower levels based on their performance.
Some fans said JPMorgan was attempting to turn European soccer into a "money-grabbing" entity like the NFL.
Tweet Embed://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1384050214772744193?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
JP Morgan's funding a $6 billion European Super League, which will see:
- 15 top European Football clubs participating
- Each club receiving $400 million, 4x than what the 2020 UCL winner got 🤯
- A model closely replicating that of the NFL and NBA
Killing the beautiful game
Other fans cracked jokes and made memes about JPMorgan's decision.
Tweet Embed://twitter.com/mims/statuses/1384516715191717895?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Leaked image of the trophy for the European Super League aka JP Morgan Cup pic.twitter.com/YvssV66ZhU
JPMorgan declined to comment about its backing of the league.
The founding members of the project have already filed motions in several courts against any efforts to stop the foundation of the league, according to The New York Times.
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