In an expected story that nonetheless made shockwaves throughout the soccer world, published reported have up to 15 deep-pocketed European blue blood teams leaving their respective domestic leagues to form a best of the best 'Super League' complete with enormous media and sponsorship contracts, beginning in 2023-24. The English Premier League quickly issued a statement condemning the proposal - an outfit can condemn their best clubs leaving, but cannot necessarily stop it. For European soccer it creates an overhaul not unlike what obsessed NCAA football followers clamor for. The proposed soccer model sees six EPL teams (the Big Ten of soccer (from a prestige perspective) join the breakaway league - Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham. England's 'Big Six' historically qualify for Champions League berths and contend for domestic and tournament titles. Three current Spanish league teams are also set to join. La Liga mimics the SEC since Barcelona and Real Madrid are members. Three Italian teams, two German teams and a French team (Paris St. Germain) round out the 'permanent' members. The 20-team competition is expected to be rounded out by five other European clubs subject to promotion and relegation. It did not take long for the concept to jump species into college football media circles, where debates for determining a national champion rage endlessly. One can see 18-20 of college football's most deeply funded programs involved. SEC: Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Texas A&M, Florida, Georgia
Big Ten: Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, Wisconsin, Nebraska ACC: Clemson, Notre Dame, Miami, Florida State
Big XII: Texas, Oklahoma
Pac-12: USC, UCLA, Oregon Yes, the Huskers are in as a permanent member and the University of Nebraska would sue for the right.
That leaves a lot on the cutting room floor for additional programs to earn their way into the league. Programs such as Oklahoma State, Iowa, BYU, Boise State, Central Florida, Iowa State, Arkansas and many others would be in the mix yearly to earn promotion.
The 24-team league would be split into 12-team conferences, nine games in their won division and three rotating 'fixtures' (soccer term) from the other. The top four in each conference make the eight-team playoff to determine a national champion.
Those not in the Super League remain in their current conferences with some reshuffling, the top-ranked teams would have their own playoff at season's end to determine the 1-2 slots available for promotion.
Soccer has moved at a snails pace for generations, but now primed for change. College football will not be far behind.