THE CONCRETE ROUNDABOUT (TCR)

It’s worth pointing out that the competition is actually still sponsored.

To the tune of £1M each from every under 23 team that enters.

Papa John’s or whoever aren’t throwing anything like that sort of money at it, so it’s pretty much an irrelevance whether it has a sponsor, other than having a partner to take on a bit of promotional activity.

That £1M contribution pays for the decent entrance money to every L1 & L2 club plus the prize money if you win or draw a game.

No club loses out no matter how few are in the ground now because of the entry money for just competing in it let alone winning a game or two. As unpalatable as playing u23 teams is the business model behind it is sound. There wouldn’t be a cup otherwise.

FWIW, It is still the Carabao Cup, as they have sponsor until end of 23/24 season.

That's the League Cup, not the EFL Trophy.

Ah yes. Crikey I'm getting old. I wish that cup had just remained as the Carling Cup.

That's not old I remember it as the Littlewoods Cup although I am sure someone remembers the Milk Cup!