Premier League urged to bridge financial gap

Sky Sports and BT agreed a deal to show live Premier League matches in the United Kingdom over three seasons from 2016-17 on Tuesday, with the package costing the broadcasters a combined £5.136 billion.

That marks an astounding 70 per cent rise from the current contract and averages out at approximately £10 million per game.

"I think inevitably it will create a bigger divide," Dunne told Perform. "There's a lot of concern on the impact of the elite pulling away from grassroots. 

"There will be a debate about distribution, solidarity and supporting grassroots. On the face of it Premier League teams are getting richer compared to everyone else.

"It [bridging the gap to the Football League] depends on the structure put in place with a distribution system whereby the strength of the Premier League doesn't undermine the rest of the pyramid but can reinforce it through other methods."

"I think all fans in recent years have felt we've been squeezed on ticket prices, even more so at bigger clubs," he added. 

"If there was ever an opportunity to control that or put a freeze on it this is it. If you're making massive increases from media rights revenue then you're less dependent on matchday revenue.

"I think [Premier League chief executive] Richard Scudamore touched on it yesterday that there is an opportunity to give fairer ticket prices. 

"As a fan, I'd like to think that would happen, but the track record of club owners doesn't hint at giving away revenue where there is high demand - and there is high demand. 

"My gut instinct is there won't be a lot given back to fans in that respect, but I'd like to think that there would be."