ABSTRACT
This chapter analyses how the sale of media rights has widened the financial gap in international club football. The technology innovations in the media now allow football fans, wherever in the world they may be, to watch matches and follow their favourite teams. These innovations have particularly benefited the clubs in the big-five European leagues, who now can reach fans much more easily than some few years ago. So far, the English Premier League has been the most successful league of its kind, but the leagues in Spain, Germany, Italy and France also expend substantial efforts promoting themselves within international markets. The innovations on the Internet have worked in the same direction and made it easier for clubs within the top leagues to get access to football fans all over the world. This development can make it difficult for clubs in the smaller footballing nations to retain their fans. The fact remains that, all things being equal, football fans prefer to watch the clubs, leagues and matches of the highest quality.
