Men in Blazers’ Roger Bennett Talks Super League Collapse with Rich Eisen | Full Interview | 4/21/21

‘Men in Blazers’ co-host Roger Bennett tells Rich Eisen why he’s so over-the-moon giddy about the overnight collapse of the European Super League, how the massive revolt by English Premier League fans led to the ESL’s disintegration, and if the 6 teams that initially defected from the EPL will ever be forgiven by English fans.
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[@annusa3682]

In the U.S., the owners of the franchises (not teams) call the shots. In Europe, owners are just caretakers of teams that are deeply embedded in their localities. This is the big difference.

[@gart9680]

The European teams are formed, often, well over a hundred years ago, in Victorian times, by the working class of the local area. E.G. Man Utd was formed by railway workers. The connection between team/club and area is cast in iron.

[@mythreepants]

Save the Green Bay Packers

[@Hammerhook12]

Except for Arsenal, now situated in north London, but originally came from southeast London district, Woolwich. So, there are indeed some frauds around.

[@Hammerhook12]

When I followed NBA back in the day I always found it odd that Utah and Jazz could be connected... Now I realise that the team (franchise) moved from New Orleans... Still..... Utah Jazz?... not mormons? or anything else in relation to Utah or Salt Lake City?

[@muttley8818]

@@gart9680 Yep. That's true. They used to be called Newton Heath. They changed their name to Manchester United in about 1907-1908 I think.

[@lukelloyd8976]

It is one area where Americans are, from an outsider's perspective; astonishingly compliant, and obedient

[@aj-tf7xk]

One of many

[@FJBF1998]

This is merely a microcosm of our society at large, my friend. People in this country are incredibly docile. For example, whenever a public official enters a room, we're expected to rise out of our seats. Next time the president is talking to the press, pay attention to how the entire press pool rises out of their seats. I mean... my goodness, we have been brainwashed into believing that not having universal health care is a good thing!

[@zinedinhadzajlija6225]

@@FJBF1998 That's true. Americans, in my experience, have been freakishly nice.

[@benhaney9629]

I wouldn’t go crazy over one example. Certainly fans have more say in England and Europe than in the U.S. Although, to be fair, I’ve never seen fans united together so vehemently before, so you can’t say for sure what would have happened in a similar situation in the U.S. It has to do with owners being viewed more as “stewards” of a team that “owners.” However, just citing one example, the United States is also the only country in the western world to have free speech laws as an integral part of our constitution, national character, laws, etc. People in England, in all of Europe, can be and are prosecuted, fined, and jailed for unpopular and/or “offensive” speech. That’s sounds crazy to your average American but the idea of being able to say whatever you want, for example, to do the Nazi salute while saying, “Heil Hitler.” In Germany, the idea that one WOULDNT be jailed for doing that, especially in America, the country, along with the Soviet Union, most responsible for riding the world of Nazism in the first place, to Germans THAT is crazy... Things are far from black and white. Not even getting into the 2nd Amendment and an armed citizenry... Needless to say, to most Europeans, especially in view of all the recent mass shootings, that is also crazy.

[@aj-tf7xk]

@@benhaney9629 dude... americans are incredibly compliant with the wealthy in every aspect of our lives... We refuse to unionize. We refuse to limit their power. We refuse to ever do anything that would make them uncomfortable

[@evanolet]

Only example in the US I can think of is the Save the Crew movement that stopped the Columbus Crew from re-locating to Austin.

[@sbz88]

Ben Askren lasted longer than the Super League 😂😂😂

[@jackbrokenshire1187]

Great to hear Rog again, he is a legend! A fellow Evertonian keep it up lad COYB NSNO!!!

[@gart9680]

English football/soccer clubs are: 1. Formed in the Victorian era; all well over 100 years old. 2. Formed for and by the local working class communities (E.G. Man United was formed by railway workers). 3. The clubs are inherently woven into the culture and structure of the areas they come from. 4. Many clubs have traditional political and/or religious affiliations (E.G. Liverpool was seen as a Protestant club whereas Everton was Catholic). 5. Many clubs have active hooligan organisations affiliated. E.G. Chelsea Headhunters, Man United's Red Army... Basically, the difference between US franchise sport and its fan base & European/global football clubs & their fan base is vast. It's not comparable.

[@DaneOrschlovsky]

You had me at "Fredo Corleone" 😂

[@sbz88]

Massive victory for the fans!! ⚽️❤

[@samb4489]

Can you guys take the Glazers back please, we don't want them owning our club

[@samlane8674]

We don't want them either. Maybe a nice spot for them in Guantanamo bay?

[@MikeydeLaraCovers]

"The Baltimore of England..." I'M from Baltimore and I had to stifle my laugh when he said that... as a complement! That dude really likes being an American! hahahah! :-P

[@ralphrex9118]

Well done Roger, outstanding summary and double bonus points for including befuddled and ewoks - top toffee!

[@johnward3732]

Most Americans have no idea how shitty they're treated by their sports teams, employers, and governments. We think the abuse is normal.

[@unclesleven7256]

Fantastic News now we just need 50+1 club reform and then UEFA reform and then FIFA reform... well damn actually there's still quite a lot to do.

[@360redskins]

American fans are more compliant here because a larger percentage of our fans root for teams that play in a different city. People like TJ who cheer for the cowboys, mets and 76ers don't have as strong of a connection with their teams as fans in England who live and die with their local club. No offense, TJ.

[@georgefoster8133]

Bears, white Sox fan from Belfast here. Also a Chelsea fan and proud of the fans reaction at the bridge.

[@shakalaka1477]

dolphins celtics fan from belfast also a united fan, good job to all across england

[@falcao1904]

Roger making a "manc" Neville impression, and no one reacted :D

[@pakpala1]

Sports doesn't exist without the fans...

[@benhaney9629]

I don’t know, I think that if American fans came together like THIS, the results wouldn’t be dissimilar. It’s like Rich said about the Rams, fans in St. Louis said nea, but fans in L.A. said yea, welcome. If BOTH sets of fans had screamed NO, like THIS. I’m far from certain the Rams would be in L.A. now... (But then the Rams might never have moved from L.A. in the first place, so they actually would be in L.A.) I’ve never seen fans rally together in such numbers, so vehemently, with the media’s support mind you, and, maybe mostly behind the scenes, player, manager, even a majority of the front office support. You can’t compare this to what has happened in the U.S. because nothing like this has happened in the U.S. Am I wrong?

[@jonmel]

It’s simple it’s something most USA sports teams don’t have history and an connection to the average joe

[@brettfromla4055]

One reason why there wasn’t any protests about the Rams leaving St. Louis is because St. Louis originally lured the Rams from LA with a big bribe to Georgia Frontiere.

[@emilioramirez1244]

I can’t wait until ESPN makes the 30 for 30 of the Super League lol

[@Windupchronic]

They should call them the Sinister Six.

[@mirceapintelie361]

Snakes works just as fine🤔

[@justincredible3379]

12:03 Were the guys laughing at the Baltimore-Liverpool comparison? 😅

[@ralphrex9118]

I think they are both the murder capitals of their countries, never been to Baltimore but Liverpool is a toilet.

[@MikeydeLaraCovers]

I know I did! hahahah!

[@walkoff2]

Open systems definitely expose how mediocre Owners can be 100x more than the Franchise model that’s for sure.

[@Taidgh17]

I love how Rich gets it.

[@benhaney9629]

Maybe in terms of the Premier League teams the American owners took the lead, I’m not sure there is any real evidence of this but it’s not unreasonable, but in terms of the Super Leagues real ringleaders, it’s clear they were and are the Spanish teams and especially Real Madrid. I mean the Spanish teams are still in this “league” officially and they’re saying that it’s still going forward, no one has officially dropped out, etc. This narrative of blaming the American owners isn’t quite accurate...

[@DirkPiddlemark]

Courage

[@ciaran7524]

America can have back the Glazers, Kroenke, and Henry

[@DaneOrschlovsky]

No thanks

[@weabea75]

Baltimore of England is nuts LOL

[@sidsa9]

European football support is like religion. You get ppl that live and breathe it. We cant sit next to each other in stadiums. Its different. Only South America might top us.

[@willardmatsaudza3101]

Exactly only the South American’s can be compared. It’s not entertainment lol it’s life out here for a lot of people.

[@free_wifihesinnocent5553]

Why doesn't the USA soccer team have same rivalry with the South America football, then they might only understand the value of football when Brazil plays Argentina or Colombia

[@tomgrochowski7765]

I just want to see what Ted Lasso will do with this...

[@isaiahpavia-cruz678]

Up the toffees!

[@vaughncoolman8273]

Bears and Sox? My man.

[@gart9680]

This man does not sound like he's from Liverpool. If he is from Liverpool he's very posh with a R.P. accent.

[@chriscoombs88]

There's definitely a bit of Liverpool in his voice...it's really not RP though!

[@crex1074]

Great day for English and world football fans!

[@stephensmith3028]

Proper english banter!!! Love it 😂😂😂

[@ryanfisch7047]

Well, mls forgot about this whole thing.

[@benhaney9629]

Gary Nevilles won far too many cups to be the Charles Barkley of anything... The Barkley and Shaq of English football? In what fucking way? Lol.

[@ugochukwunwaogwuwgwu4846]

In terms of their broadcasting influence they are the Barkley and Shaq of English football. Besides they're both legends.

[@rqubed2603]

@@ugochukwunwaogwuwgwu4846 what does your igbo name mean?

[@ugochukwunwaogwuwgwu4846]

@@rqubed2603 Ugochukwu means God's Glory.

[@Taidgh17]

Fans back in stadiums next week. Can't wait to chant "we want glazers out"

[@corvus2512]

Can i just ask a question? Why does Roger love america so much? Im an america and i get why americans think were so great... cause we are told so from day 1, its drilled into us that “were the greatest country” so i can understand my countrymen thinking it, but why him? I mean im not anti american (i am one after all) but so many of our systems are totally outdated compared to other industrialized nations, is it just because he is a wealthy guy who doesn't have to worry about our shortcomings? Ive listened to men in blazers since 2014 and love the guys but i just never understand their love for the states... so many problems that happen here are not possible in other countries from problems with healthcare to social safety nets to political corruption but i guess he just doesnt have to worry? Its bizarre to me

[@aaroncorbett6352]

College's top brands should still do a super league.

[@gart9680]

? Colleges?

[@joco2826]

BALTIMORE OF ENGLAND 😂😂

[@r3tr0actiongamer24]

Les Grossman

[@davidboulineau683]

Rich - bad example of relocation and the Super League.

[@mussey123]

Don’t forget. Uefa and fifa are still corrupt to the core... they are not for the fans

[@benhaney9629]

My prediction: The Manchester United owners are our, the Liverpool owners will be fine. The fans don’t quite have honor they’re playing at having at the moment. One group of owners are losers, the other, big winners. That’s will tell the difference in the end. The Liverpool fans have a Premier League win and a Champions League Cup and will find in in their hearts to forgive. The Manchester United fans will have a what have you done for me lately attitude in the depths of their hearts and will not forgive. But we’ll see. Maybe both sets of American owners will go but I doubt it. And it’s already shaping up this way it seems...

[@mrcuddlebuns1000]

nah fsg have burned every bridge in liverpool scousers will quickly forget the titles

[@benhaney9629]

Christ. What a pretentious sounding book title. “Remembrances of a Young Mans Love Letter to an Adopted... Blah, blah”

[@eddiel7635]

Nope, it’s just the English language mate

[@MrRufusRToyota]

I seriously feel bad for LeBron James.

[@evantea4443]

Why? He should get out of my Liverpool...him and FSG