By Paul Nicholson
July 1 – The English Premier League in their 2014/15 season review released detail of its revenue distribution to clubs alongside an impressive set of figures generally for the performance of the league whose 20 clubs sold a massive 13.7 million seats over the season.
The Premier League makes virtue of what it says is the most equitable revenue distribution between its clubs of any of the European leagues. It is this that makes the league competitive and gives it its commercial edge, says CEO Richard Scudamore (pictured).
“It’s essential, which is why Burnley could come up last season and they could beat Manchester City, draw with Manchester City, draw at Chelsea. That’s because they’ve got enough income to compete,” said Scudamore.
“Every time they take the field against any team, no matter whether it’s the top of the league or whatever, they can compete in that individual match, and that I think stands us out from any every other league.”
Champions Chelsea were awarded £99 million while bottom side QPR received £64.9 million from the Premier League. The bulk of the money comes from TV income with 50% of UK broadcast revenue split equally between the 20 clubs.
25% of UK broadcast revenue is paid in Merit Payments based on league position, with the remaining 25% of revenue is paid in TV facility fees – the top clubs getting the lion’s share of the fees as they are on TV the most.
100% of international broadcast revenue, and central commercial revenue, is split equally amongst the 20 clubs.
Aside for the revenue numbers, the Premier League championed its progress on a number of social and football development fronts. Of the 13.7 million seats sold, 26% of people attending matches were female. Stadium occupancy across the league average 95.9%.
The league says that it saw a 69% increase in full time coaches. Presumably contributing to the development of the 54 “homegrown” players who made Premier League debuts. That figure averages out at less than three per club so is perhaps not so impressive, though Scudamore goes to lengths to say the Premier League is supporting and encouraging local talent.
A record 16% of the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) population attended Premier League games.
For those that complain the Premier League is just an over-paid gravy train for a lucky few then they should think again. An Economic Impact study commissioned by the league and carried out by Ernst & Young found that in the 2013-14 season, the 20 Premier League clubs contributed £2.4 billion to the UK Exchequer. The study also found that the League and clubs supported over 100,000 jobs as well as making a contribution of £3.4 billion to UK GDP.
Source: Premier League
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