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Michael Jennings talks about the global reach of the English Premier League

Last night I listened to this podcast, in which Patrick Crozier interviews our own Michael Jennings, globetrotter extraordinaire, about how the English Premier League (i.e. soccer) is followed with a passion in faraway countries of which most English people know very little, and of which many English soccer fans would be rather scornful, if they gave them any thought.

Points made (recycling (and expanding upon) Patrick’s blog posting on it): that the Premier League is a big deal in Asia (and Africa); that it’s really big; how it got that big; why the 39th game is going to happen (because so many English clubs are strapped for cash); and how it might be done fairly (not hard to contrive if they really want it).

I enjoyed it very much. Did you know that there are firms in Vietnam which reach potential Vietnamese customers by putting signs up at English football grounds? Me neither.

4 comments to Michael Jennings talks about the global reach of the English Premier League

  • mezzrow

    re: Viet ads – absolutely, particularly at Arsenal games if my memory is correct. I’m a Floridian who lives and dies with the Toffees. BTW, Everton’s shirt sponsor is Chang beer – the biggest brand in Thailand.

    Now lets take care of business v. Hull. COYB!

  • Rich Rostrom

    American newspapers carry the Premier League standings. It’s in agate type on the generic scoreboard page of the sports section, but until a few years ago, it was unheard of.

    And I used to work with a American who had a Man U banner in his cubicle (next to a University of Michigan banner).

  • James Waterton

    Most of those Vietnamese language ads are for betting agencies and the like. Betting on the English Premier League is BIG business here in Vietnam. In fact, there have been numerous scandals involving public servants gambling away large dollops of foreign aid money on football matches. Fancy that!

  • Kim du Toit

    I wear the Chelsea blue with pride — and for those who may think of sneering that I only support them because they’re successful: I’ve been a fan since 1972. Feel free to see how successful they were back in the 1970s. Oy.

    I still watch the EPL and the FA Cup on Fox Soccer Channel — I just wish ALL the matches were shown instead of just a couple each week.