By IANS
London : With television contracts in 207 countries, English Premier League (EPL) chief executive Richard Scudamore is convinced the competition is robust enough to prosper despite the loss of Thierry Henry's star quality.
After 15 highly successful seasons, the top flight is about to enter a new era with new television and radio partners besides Sky and BBC, reports EPL's official website.
With TV contracts extending into an incredible 207 countries, it is little wonder images of EPL stars are so visible around the globe.
With overseas contracts and other packages, the EPL will rake in almost two billion pounds over the next three years.
However, it will have to retain its position as the most lucrative domestic competition on the planet without Henry, whose move to Barcelona has left a huge hole for Arsene Wenger to fill at Arsenal.
Yet Scudamore believes the league is now so well established, it can survive the loss of any individual.
"You lose an Henry but you gain a Torres," said Scudamore.
"Thierry Henry has been fantastic for the Premier League. We were cheering last year when he stayed and now we are disappointed he has gone because he is a stellar player.
"But it was only a few years ago we lost David Beckham. Other players came in his place.
"It really has got to a level now where we are attracting the world's top talent right at the top of their game. No one individual could leave the league and make a big difference."
Three Premier League sides are currently in Hong Kong, where Liverpool, Portsmouth and Fulham are competing in the Asia Trophy.
With Manchester United about to conclude a four-match tour of the Far East and both Bolton Wanderers and Reading playing to big crowds at the recent Peace Cup in South Korea, it is clearly an area of major commercial importance.
"It is stating the obvious, but the Asian market has to consume most of their Premier League football via TV," said Scudamore.
"But the one thing that strikes anyone who comes out here is the fact the fans have an absolutely intense interest in and knowledge of our domestic football.
"I know some people in England would say true fans are the ones who travel to an away game on a wet November night.
"But the people in Asia are just as fanatical about their football. It is a positive thing for all of us when we take an opportunity to give them a chance to touch and feel what they see on their television screens all year."
Pre-season games, no matter how competitive, can never come close to matching the week-by-week combat once the proper action begins.
Scudamore is gratified that Manchester United's title win last season at least ended talk of the Premiership becoming a one-team dominated league after Chelsea's back-to-back successes.
And he is confident that this season's championship battle will be even more compelling.
"It does matter that our league is competitive," he said.
"Liverpool are clearly having a go and you can never write Arsenal off. Who knows, at some point there may be a surprise and another club may force their way into the top four."
And, citing the examples of Tiger Woods and Roger Federer, Scudamore believes the dominance of the major clubs is actually a strength.
"The talk about only certain teams being able to win the Premier League is a bit of a domestic phenomenon," he said.
"In Asia, it is almost completely the opposite.
"The fans here are excited by the fact it is the clubs they have heard of that are winning.
"It is like the Tiger Woods or Roger Federer factor. People may want other players to win the Majors but when those two do it, there is more interest."