European Super League Could Feature 80 Teams amid Talks of New Proposal

Everybody loves a comeback, but the European Super League might put that cliche to the test soon.

Bernd Reichart, the chief executive of A22 Sports Management, laid out tentative plans Thursday for a new competition that would showcase the best clubs across Europe.

"Last October we began an open dialogue on the future of European club football," A22 Sports said in a statement. "Since then, we have spoken to nearly 50 European clubs and other football stakeholders. The vast majority of them share the assessment that the very foundation of European football is under threat. It is time for change."

Under the proposal, the new Super League would have 60 to 80 clubs "based on annual sporting merit" with no permanent members. A22 also affirmed that any teams taking part would be fully committed to their domestic leagues.

Both speak to significant concerns with the ill-fated European Super League that was introduced and then hastily scrapped in 2021.

A22's announcement has received pushback from one of Europe's biggest domestic leagues.

"We are aware that A22, the Super League promoters, are pushing a story today presenting a manifesto with ten 'principles,'" La Liga said, per Reuters (via ESPN). "Our response: Don't let them fool you. They've been telling tales for many years, this is just the latest attempt by big clubs to hijack European football."

Until litigation involving the Super League, FIFA and UEFA is resolved, it's also unclear whether players and clubs would jeopardize their eligibility for other competitions if they participated in a breakaway European league.

A22's statement is a reminder that a long-hypothesized alternative to the Champions League isn't going away. The growing gulf between England's Premier League and the rest of Europe is likely to further embolden those in favor of a new super league as well.