Shift in Football’s Money League as Continental Teams Replace Under-Performing English Clubs
In a notable change, the annual Money League rankings, compiled by Deloitte, witnessed a shift in the representation of top football clubs. Three continental European teams—Eintracht Frankfurt, SCC Napoli, and Olympique Marseille—entered the top 20, displacing under-performing English teams Leicester City, Leeds United, and Everton FC. The Money League evaluates football clubs based on their revenues, excluding profit and loss considerations.
Real Madrid Takes the Top Spot:
- Real Madrid claimed the top position in the Money League, surpassing Manchester City, with reported revenues of €826 million (£706 million) for the 2022/23 season. The strong performance was attributed to robust retail figures, increased stadium attendance, and the recovery of sponsorship income post-COVID-19 restrictions.
Top 20 Clubs’ Revenues:
- The top 20 football clubs collectively generated revenues of €10.5 billion during the 2022/23 season.
English Clubs’ Decline:
- The drop in English clubs in the Deloitte league table contrasts with the previous seasons, where strong broadcasting deals played a crucial role in sustaining financial stability. English clubs had outperformed European counterparts in recent years, primarily due to higher broadcast income.
Impact of Broadcasting Revenues:
- While English clubs benefitted from lucrative broadcasting deals in the past, broadcasting revenues have faced challenges in maintaining rapid growth. The recent sale of four years of UK broadcast rights for £6.7 billion ($8.4 billion) marked a 4% increase from the previous cycle.
Women’s Game Revenue Trends:
- In women’s football, FC Barcelona Femeni retained the top position in revenue generation, reporting €13.4 million, reflecting a substantial 74% increase from the previous year. Arsenal, ranked fifth, boasted the highest matchday revenue among the top 15 women’s clubs.
Rising Revenues in Women’s Game:
- The average revenue of the top 15 women’s teams reached €4.3 million, indicating a significant 61% increase compared to the previous year.
The Money League’s latest rankings highlight the evolving landscape in football finances, with continental European teams making inroads into the top echelons, displacing some English counterparts. The fluctuations in club revenues underscore the complex interplay of factors, including broadcasting deals, matchday income, and sponsorship, influencing the financial standings of football clubs. As the football industry adapts to changing dynamics, financial resilience becomes a crucial aspect for clubs aiming to secure and improve their positions in the Money League.
