Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Coates calls for lower ticket prices

Stoke chairman Peter Coates says it is "vitally important" that Premier League ticket prices are lowered in light of the new domestic TV deal.

Stoke fans: Can expect to be rewarded, judging by Peter Coates' comments

Stoke fans: Can expect to be rewarded, judging by Peter Coates' comments

It was announced on Tuesday that Sky and BT Sport had agreed a record £5.136billion deal to screen Premier League matches for three seasons from 2016-17, an increase of 70% on the current domestic deal.

The Premier League said £56million a year has been earmarked for grassroots projects, and Coates expects football as a whole to benefit from the increase in revenue.

"The distribution system flows down to everyone and that will continue," he said.

"It is an awful lot of money but we have a responsibility to football as a whole and I am sure we will exercise that responsibility.

"The clubs and Stoke do a lot of things in the community and if you go in the Stoke-on-Trent area, you will get the same feedback."

Premier League clubs are already coming under pressure to reduce ticket prices in light of the announcement, something that Coates, who has not upped the season ticket prices at Stoke since 2007 when the club was still in the Championship, agrees should happen.

"It is vitally important [to lower the price of tickets]," he added on BBC Radio 5 Live. "The stadia need to be full, especially with away support. The lower and average incomes need to be facilitated."

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore believes clubs will continue to look at ways to make football more affordable.

"This structure also allows us to strike a balance between match-attending fans and those who choose to watch on television," he said. "Keeping grounds full is a priority for the Premier League and our clubs, and I am sure the flexible ticketing policies that have helped keep attendances so high will continue to develop."

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