ABSTRACT
This chapter assesses and compares the impact that the complex process of globalisation has had on the two main European football leagues: the English Premier League and the Spanish League. Although they come from different histories and cultural traditions, the challenges of the two leagues are similar. Both have to deal with strong internal identities and local traditions, class conflicts and complex cultural differences. At the same time, they must face the challenge posed by the growing power of another competition, the Champions League, and the onslaught presented by the commodification of sport, and especially football, worldwide. Both leagues develop similar mechanisms to face this new situation, with few aspects to differentiate them and many that are comparable. That is why the differences, seen from close up, are no more than simple illusions.
