Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Reality TV Hits The Pitch!


Great news! I am soon to be a partial owner of Ebbsfleet United. Who? Ebbsfleet United, an English club team participating in the 5th Division Blue Square League, that's who!

In a plot straight from Reality TV, the new site myfootballclub.co.uk has taken control of this team. The twist is that the team is owned by a collection of soccer fans, around 26,000 to be exact. Each owner pays roughly $75 and has a stake in running the club.

According to a Wall Street Journal article, by voting online, owners can choose match lineups and buy new players. This leads to an unprecedented new level of reality access for fans. Want to sub out an underperforming striker? Vote online!

In this collision of Fantasy vs. Reality, could this structure actually keep some lower-performing groups in business? Before you answer, first consider whether this is a novelty that may or may not wear off after a first season. Further, would this work in the US?

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