Birmingham City chairman and co-owner Tom Wagner has warned that any wealth redistribution deal between the Premier League and the English Football League (EFL) should not reduce the competitiveness of England’s top-flight.
Wagner, who took control of Birmingham in 2023 alongside NFL legend Tom Brady, emphasized that while supporting the football pyramid is important, the Premier League’s global appeal must remain intact.
“We’d love to see the pyramid strengthened, but what we don’t want is for whatever percentage we land on to result in a less competitive top of the pyramid,” Wagner told reporters at the Leaders sports business conference.
Wagner’s Stance on the EFL Deal
The EFL is still negotiating with the Premier League for a financial settlement aimed at narrowing the gap between divisions.
The revenue gap between the Premier League and the Championship alone now exceeds £5 billion ($6.74 billion).
While government regulators may eventually step in if no agreement is reached, Wagner believes the Premier League still has untapped global growth potential.
Protecting Premier League Value
Wagner stressed that clubs at the top must protect their brand and competitiveness to maintain international value:
The Premier League committed £1.6 billion ($2.16 billion) to the wider football pyramid in its latest broadcast cycle (2022–2025).
Wagner argued that growth should come from expanding the global audience, not from adding more matches or raising ticket prices.
“By reaching more people and offering new types of content, we can grow the sport globally,” he said.
Looking Ahead
With the UK’s independent football regulator (IFR) gaining new powers, pressure is building for an agreement between the leagues. However, Wagner believes English football can thrive internationally while still finding ways to strengthen the entire pyramid.
