La Liga set to take regular season games to North America

Football juggernauts Real Madrid and Barcelona could find themselves playing competitve football in the United States in the not-too-distant future.

As part of a deal announced on Thursday, La Liga will aim to take regular season games to North America over the next five years in a bid to increase its influence and reach in the region.

Spain's top flight signed a 15-year partnership with the multinational media group Relevent, creating a new organization called LaLiga North America, which will aim to "cultivate football culture in the US and Canada" according to a La Liga press release.

"This extraordinary joint venture is the next giant leap in growing soccer's popularity in North America," Relevent chairman and founder Stephen Ross said. "This unique relationship will create new opportunities for millions of North American soccer fans to experience the most passionate, exciting, and highest level of soccer in the world."

La Liga president Javier Tebas echoed those sentiments, saying they were thrilled to embark on a "joint mission to grow soccer in North America."

"We're devoted to growing the passion for soccer around the world," he said. "This ground-breaking agreement is certain to give a major impulse to the popularity of the beautiful game in the US and Canada."

Immediate fears over the famed El Clasico leaving Spanish shores have been quashed, with Tebas reportedly dismissing the possibility of taking the match away from La Liga stadiums. However, few details have been released about the 15-year deal. For now at least, the statement only treats bringing a game to North America as an ambition.

It is uncertain whether the first La Liga match to head overseas will be during this season or next season, but it's likely to become the first European league game to take place in North America. England's Premier League has long toyed with the idea of sending a "39th game" overseas, but plans were abandoned after opposition from fan groups and FIFA.

The partnership has not escaped criticism, with the Spanish Footballers Association (AFE) scathing in its denunciation of the proposal to play La Liga games outside of Spain.

"The AFE strongly objects," the union said in a statement.

"As per usual, LaLiga has dispensed with the opinions of the players and has undertaken actions that only benefit them, regardless of the health or risks to the players, and even less the feelings of the following masses of the clubs who are being 'forced' to compete in North America once a season."

AFE president David Aganzo pointed out that "footballers are not currency that can be used in business to only benefit third parties."

La Liga has been trying to expand internationally for some time, in order to keep pace with the Premier League. This week, the Spanish Super Cup between Sevilla and Barcelona was played in Tangier, Moroccco.

Relevent already has experience promoting European clubs in North America, having organized the International Champions Cup for the past five years. Barcelona and Real Madrid faced each other during the tournament in Miami in 2017.

The agreement between La Liga and Relevent also plans to introduce youth academies, develop youth coaches, implement marketing strategies and organize exhibition matches.

js/msh (AP)