Keir Starmer is first and foremost an Arsenal fan, but he’s also Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. So, regardless of his rooting interest, he wants to make sure everyone gets to watch them potentially win the Champions League.
Arsenal takes on Paris St-Germain in next weekend’s Champions League final and, for the first time since the competition began, it will be behind a paywall in the UK. That led the PM to write an open letter to broadcaster TNT Sports, urging it to make the service available to viewers in Britain who don’t pay for its service.
TNT Sports, which rebranded from BT Sport following its acquisition by Warner Bros Discovery, previously announced that viewers would have to subscribe to watch the finals of the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League.
“I am a firm believer that the final of this competition should remain free to watch, whether Arsenal have made it or not.
“Obviously, I want as many fellow fans as possible to be able to watch our team in this historic final for the first time in 20 years. However, this is bigger than that,” Starmer wrote. “This is about supporters of all teams coming together in living rooms and pubs in every corner of the country to watch the most elite players in Europe battle it out.
“Hard-working people should not have to worry about forking out for a subscription to watch a game of this magnitude.
“We should be putting supporters first. That is why I have already encouraged Fifa to do more to make tickets more affordable at this summer’s World Cup.
“That is also why I want to strongly urge you to reconsider and make the final next Saturday free to watch for the millions of passionate football fans in this country.”
For the time being, it doesn’t look like TNT Sports is budging. A spokesperson said the company was charging £4.99 ($6.70) for a month-long subscription to HBO Max, which would allow fans to see the Champions League final as well as UEFA’s two other club finals.
Per the spokesperson, the offer “represents exceptional value.”
Six years ago, the UK government rejected a proposal to add the Champions League final to the list of “crown jewels” events, which would have ensured it would always be free-to-air. If TNT Sports doesn’t budge, Starmer could try to resurrect it to ensure it’s free for everyone in the country to watch.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.