by Matthew Adams

Created on: June 01, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

The Premier League, which began in 1992, has provided some of the most scintillating and a exciting football of any domestic league. Without a doubt, it has transformed the English game and turned an old-fashioned league into a modern one.

For what its worth, the old English top-division did not compare that favorably with the likes of Serie A. This was especially the case in the 1980s when Italian football was more glamorous. Not to mention the other unfortunate episodes that transpired during the period to mar English domestic football. So in many respects, we have a great deal to be thankful for the Premier League, which has given England the league its passionate supporters deserve.

The FA Premier League has steadily grown in popularity since its inception. In 1992 the TV contract rights to this exclusive league were offered to Sky TV. Sky TV has undoubtedly been one of the prime movers in the Premier League's history, and their marketing of the league has become renowned. Despite the subscription charges, the Premier League has sold many Sky satellite dishes, and Sky have marketed the Premier League as being 'the best league in the world'.

Now, that is debatable. But there is no doubting that the self-proclaimed 'best league in the world' tag has a ring to it which may have been a factor in attracting foreign footballers to the Premiership. That along with the commercial value of the league, which has increased, has generated a new found wealth amongst England's top clubs.

With the ability to pay larger wages as well as transfer fees, top English clubs found themselves more able to pull the best players away from Serie A. Likewise, the corrupted Italian game may have helped the process. In 1995, Arsenal was able to pull off a 7.5 million coup of Bergkamp from Inter Milan. Likewise, Newcastle Utd set a world record transfer fee for Alan Shearer of 15 million pounds. The likes of Gullit, Ravenelli, Emerson, Zola, Viera flocked to the Premier League like lambs to a shepherd.

Alas, the Premiership has become increasingly blessed with top-class foreign talent. Undoubtedly, these players have enhanced the appeal of the Premier League with many other nationals representing their countries in the league. Not to mention that some of the world's best players like Henry, Ronaldo and Shevchenko have played in it.

Aside from the growing number of foreign players, foreign managers like Jose Mourinho have grown in number. In 1992 they were almost non-existent, but now 3 of the top four clubs have a foreign coach. With the undoubted coaching skills of some of the best foreign managers, the standard of the football has risen to an extent that English clubs have dominated this season's Champions League with an all Premiership final. In many respects, the 'best league in the world tag' does appear to be justified for every Premiership club that wins Europe's top competition.

So, let us not forget the reasons behind the Premiership's popularity. Sky TV have done a great job in marketing the Premiership. The TV contracts and revenue for the Premiership's clubs has seen them become far more competitive financially, and enabled them to acquire some of the finest footballers in the game. This, combined with top quality coaching, has seen the top Premiership clubs rise to prominence in the Champions League. And thus, the Premier League has indeed become the best league in the world like Sky said all along.

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