A group of renowned former football players, including Gerard Pique, Kaka, Miguel Layun, Claudio Marchisio, and Bastian Schweinsteiger, all veterans of multiple World Cups, recently held a virtual meeting. The discussion focused not on their legendary careers but on the Kings League, specifically how they handle its detractors.
Miguel Layun openly welcomed the criticism, stating, “Thank you for the haters… We love haters here.” He added that the Kings League operates on a “circus planet” where entertainment is paramount, and “haters are part of entertainment.”
Launched by Pique in 2022 as his post-retirement venture, the Kings League has rapidly become a focal point of discussion in the football world. This 7-a-side competition originated in Spain and has since expanded globally, distinguished by its unconventional and dynamically changing rules, such as the absence of draws, unlimited substitutions, and special mechanics that can alter gameplay, like sudden 1v1 scenarios.
The league`s format is deliberately crafted to appeal to younger generations (Gen Z and Gen Alpha). Pique asserts that traditional 90-minute football matches are excessively long, citing data on younger audiences` limited attention spans as a basis for the Kings League`s structure. This innovative approach has garnered significant investment, including from Saudi Arabia`s Public Investment Fund, but has also drawn strong opposition, notably from La Liga president Javier Tebas.
However, Pique maintains that the Kings League does not aim to replace traditional football. He describes it as “very complimentary,” drawing an analogy to films and television series, which are distinct products that coexist and are consumed differently. He suggests that the new generation can follow traditional football on television while simultaneously watching the Kings League on mobile devices or tablets, reflecting their multi-screen consumption habits.
Pique also likens the Kings League viewing experience to that of video games. He reported significant viewership figures for the recent Kings World Cup Clubs, stating the tournament attracted over 100 million unique viewers via live streams, with the final match peaking at over 3.5 million concurrent devices streaming the event.
The primary appeal for younger viewers, they explain, is the league`s central focus on entertainment. This extends to their unconventional approach to handling criticism, including performative “clapbacks” designed to attract attention. Pique recounted an instance: when Javier Tebas labelled the league a “circus,” they responded by having Sergio Aguero dress as a clown and participate in a match.
Reflecting the nature of the Kings League, which often sparks debate, its entertainment value isn`t solely derived from addressing criticism. Miguel Layun highlighted his personal connection to the league`s philosophy, stating, “my opinion is football is entertainment.” He reflected on childhood dreams of playing and how, during a professional career, the focus can sometimes shift away from the audience (“you forget you are there for the people”).
Dominic Ashworth