Recent figures released by Deloitte in its annual football finance review have illustrated that there has never been a more lucrative time to be involved in English football – especially at the Premier League level. This news came as Deloitte released figures which illustrated English Premier League Clubs achieved record revenues and profits during the 2013-14 period.
The record revenues were seen largely as a result of the increased TV monies and the introduction of the Financial Fair Play Regulations which serve to prevent clubs from spending above certain levels. The recent figures have been described by many as a potential turning point in football finance in England. It is clear that there has never been a better time to be involved in the English Premier League and Championship clubs are now striving ever more in an attempt to get to the Promised Land. Championship clubs’ combined revenue was up 12% but the results illustrated that Championship clubs actually pay more in wages than they earn in revenue. This emphasises the risks being taken by Championship in an attempt to get themselves into the top flight of English football.
The news is likely to fuel even greater investment in Premier League clubs especially on the back off the recent lucrative broadcasting deals. Premier League Club revenues ranged from £433 million at Manchester United to £83 million at Cardiff City. 19 out of 20 English Premier League Clubs made an operating profit. Matchday revenues were up 5% and wages to revenue ratio fell to its lowest since the 1998-1999 season.
Germany’s Bundesliga is England’s closest rival with revenues in the Bundesliga rising by approximately 13%. Collective revenue in Spain’s La Liga saw a 3% increase. In Italy’s Serie A revenues rose by just 1%.
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