The world of soccer has turned upside down following the announcement of the European Super League. The breakaway tournament which includes 12 of the biggest clubs in Europe want to change the game of soccer to popularize it. Many fans have complained about this massive change, but Juventus Chairman Andrea Agnelli believes that the sport is losing the fight against video games like Fortnite or Call of Duty.
Andrea Agnelli to Repubblica: “#SuperLeague simulates what young people do on digital platforms in competition with Call of Duty or Fortnite”.
“Didn't I answer to Ceferin call? These are personal details of my life”.
*Interview made before the suspension of the #SuperLeague 🚫
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 21, 2021
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European Super League to capture younger viewers who play Fortnite or Call of Duty
During a recent interview with the Italian daily, La Repubblica, Andrea Agnelli talked about the plans for the European Super League. He believes that Football needs a massive revamp in order to capture the younger audiences. Unlike previous generations, where most viewers lacked a lot of choices, the current generation doesn’t have that issue.
“Younger people want to see the big events and are less tied to the elements of parochialism that marked previous generations, including my own.”
Agnelli believes that with the European Super League, fans can expect a lot of massive changes to the sport. With extra focus on the 16-24 year age demographic, it will have an experience similar to that of video games. The tournament’s popularity among this age group will bring back fans from Fortnite or Call of Duty.
“We’re going to create a competition that simulates what they do on digital platforms – like Fifa – means we’re going to meet them and face the competition of Fortnite or Call of Duty that are the real attention centers of today’s kids, who will be spending tomorrow.”
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Agnelli wants to reinvent soccer for the younger demographic
With stadiums shut down because of the pandemic, fans are missing out on a lot of live matches. While it continues to be broadcasted on various services, the sport’s biggest attraction is the live experience. Agnelli believes that younger audiences are missing out on such experiences, which leads to them getting alienated from soccer.
“The most alarming statistic is that 40 percent of those between the ages of 16 and 24 have no interest in the world of soccer.”
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With Esports tournaments for games like Fortnite or Call of Duty massively taking advantage of the pandemic, live sports have a lot of catch-ups to do in order to become popular with the current generation. While purists of the sport might not like this new endeavor, it brings a spotlight to soccer’s current state.