The large audience share that Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion will likely add for Premier League broadcasters could sway people's thinking in their favour when decisions are made over promotion, according to The Athletic's Phil Hay.

It still remains uncertain if, how, and when the EFL season will be completed and what will happen to the sides in the promotion and relegation places.

Few sides are likely to be as concerned about that topic as Leeds and West Brom, who are in the Championship's automatic promotion places as things stand.

The pair have been the frontrunners for promotion for much of the season but with some reports suggesting that all leagues below the top flight could be cancelled, they will be very concerned about their promotion hopes.

If the Premier League season is completed, then you'd imagine it would mean three sides would be relegated and three Championship sides would need to be promoted – but at this point, it's impossible to predict exactly what would happen.

On the latest episode of the Phil Hay Show, it was suggested that the large audience share that Leeds and West Brom would provide for Premier League broadcasters could impact thinking when a decision is made.

Hay said: "I think that's a good point.

"I have spoken to people that have said it is a potential bargaining chip for discussions with broadcasters at the moment that if it does materialise that Leeds and West Brom are promoted, Leeds, in particular, are going to add a very large audience share to what Premier League broadcasters have already.

"They don't even have to make that argument, Leeds or the Premier League, because the figures are there to see in the broadcast that Sky Sports do at the moment.

"Yeah, they do definitely have that in their favour and I think West Brom, equally, would be a good addition to the Premier League and could sell themselves in that sense.

He added: "But again, it is going to have to be done in a way that is seen to be, at the very least, relatively fair to everybody and I don't think the Premier League can take a discussion that suits Leeds purely because Leeds have got a massive television draw.

"They're going to have to be fairer and more consistent than that. Again that will be swaying people's thinking and on their minds."

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The Verdict

You can certainly see where Hay is coming from here.

Both sides have big followings and would likely bring a significant audience share for Premier League broadcasters – therefore adding more value to the league.

As suggested, any decision made will have to be fair to all involved but the value of adding the Championship top two to the Premier League could help sway a decision over promotion and relegation.