Most football analysts have decided that Real Madrid's strategy of buying Galacticos (overpriced, overpaid players from selected overrated agencies) is the road to financial underperformance and, in the end, ruin.
In the 15 years since this buy high/ sell low strategy was instigated, Real Madrid have won just 5 out of 15 La Liga titles and two Champions League titles - in previous fifteen year window, these totals were 7 and 2 respectively.
BT Sport are going down the same route - overpaying for 'first tier' names thinking that this makes up for the abundance of decidedly second tier matches.
With the news that BT Sport are to charge customers an extra £5 per month for full Champions League coverage because the company overpaid for the rights to cover the tournament in the bidding war with Sky Sports, we should look at the BT Sport Galacticos.
* Michael Owen - Elaborate owner of racehorses and professional gambler.
* Gary Lineker - Elaborate seller of crisps with a keen interest in tax.
* Steve McManaman - Elaborate former business partner of convicted money-launderer Carson Yeung.
* Robbie Savage - Elaborate ambassador for William Hill bookmakers.
* Clare Balding - Elaborate niece of a Timeform squiggle horserace trainer who interviews people of dubious countenance.
* David James - Elaborate bankrupt involved in some 'interesting integrity' matches during playing career.
* James Richardson - Elaborate talking head linked to Guardian newspaper.
* David Ginola - Elaborate frontman for Paddy Power bookmakers.
* Steve Gerrard - Elaborate alleged racist and some other things too.
BT Sport - a bunch of sharp-suited millionaires trying to hide their historical crimes at the expense of the game while burying deep their Diplock gold.
BT Sport are known for paying over the odds to attract 'talent'.
When the bubble of corruption bursts, BT Sport's cashflow is going to look like a car crash.
