While the EPL is the world’s most popular sports league, there is still huge potential to attract new followers (i.e. consumers) in China and the United States. When even the name of the league is confusing (is it the EPL, BPL, Premier League, Premiership?), it creates confusion in the marketplace. Sure, soccer fans will eventually catch on but consider how the NFL markets its league and how everyone speaks the same “language.” Repeat the mantra. NFL, NFL, NFL.
The Premier League’s challenge is if they continue marketing the league as the BPL (as they did in a press release with Fox Soccer Channel released earlier this week). What happens if Barclays fails to renew their contract when the sponsorship agreement expires? Will the BPL become the APL, VFL, DFL, etc?
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I remember the furore when the beloved FA Cup was suddenly going to be called Axa or something. Except that it never was.
Barclay’s is just its sponsor name. It’s just now known as the Premier League. The US is one of the very few territories that shortened The Premiership to EPL, and now the abbreviation of EPL is actually correct, as technically ‘league’ was never in the name before.
Chris,
That’s correct, but the Premier League (and Fox Soccer Channel) were marketing the league as the BPL in the press release (see link in the above blog post).
Cheers,
The Gaffer
I sense a Prince situation arising. Next year its going to be the League formerly known as the English Premier League. I am hoping they just eventually switch to an abstract symbol. That would be brilliant.
time marches on