The 3pm blackout is one of English football’s sacred cows, stretching back 60 years and creating a strong match-going tradition throughout the pyramid.
But it is under increasing scrutiny with clubs in League One and League Two split over whether to petition Uefa to loosen a blanket ban on showing matches between 2.45pm and 5.15pm.
Clubs will discuss the blackout at the EFL’s annual AGM and a spokesman for the league said “nothing is ruled out” in terms of future iFollow changes.
In the US, fans can buy season passes to watch their favourite teams but a “Netflix for football” is still a long way off in the UK.
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The blackout isn’t up for debate in the Premier League, for example, where clubs rely heavily on the lucrative TV deal. Sky and other broadcasters actually like the blackout, which creates a sense of occasion about their Super Sunday or Monday Night Football games.
But further down the pyramid an increasing number of clubs are looking to raise extra revenue and see iFollow passes as a way to do it.
The pandemic changed the landscape significantly, with every behind-closed-doors game offered on iFollow. It offered a glimpse of something different.
Proponents argue it won’t impact attendances and point out the fact they’re already allowed to offer midweek matches and games during the international break. One executive told i their club had raised £170,000 already this season and those are not inconsiderable sums for clubs feeling the pinch after the pandemic.
But significant opposition remains, and it would require Uefa to give the green light to any changes.
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