The English Premier League, also known as the EPL, is one of the world’s most prestigious and popular football leagues. It features the top 20 clubs in England and is watched by millions of fans across the globe every week. However, this elite competition that we know today did not always exist. In fact, it has a fascinating origin story that traces back to the late 19th century.
The Football League, which was founded in 1888, was the first organized professional football league in the world. It consisted of the top clubs from all over England and operated on a tier system. However, by the late 20th century, the top clubs, including Manchester United, Liverpool, and Arsenal, felt that their financial contributions to the league were not being fairly rewarded. They believed that their success and popularity were driving the league’s revenue but they weren’t receiving a bigger share. As a result, they proposed the idea of a breakaway league that would operate independently and generate more income for the participating clubs.
In 1992, these top clubs officially broke away from the Football League and formed the English Premier League. This move sparked controversy and backlash from other clubs, supporters, and even the Football Association. The newly formed league’s format was based on a more equitable revenue-sharing system, which meant that the clubs that generated more revenue would receive a bigger portion.
