March 10 – The rich get richer and then there is the English Premier League! According to newly released figures from UEFA, the Premier League’s combined revenues are almost double that of Germany and Spain.
In the annual European club finance and investment landscape report, it showed Premier League club’s revenue stood at a staggering €7.1 billion (£5.9 billion) in the 2023 financial year. Meanwhile, Spain’s La Liga and Germany’s, Bundesliga generated €3.7 billion and €3.6 billion respectively.
In the general scheme of things, revenues have been up in all of Europe’s top division, and totalled €26.8bn, 17% more than before the Covid-19 pandemic.
More worryingly for competitors of the Premier League, the median revenue of English clubs is 60% higher than in the Bundesliga and more than three times of those playing in LaLiga and Italy’s Serie A.
This disparity is being driven by broadcast money and shows no signs of slowing down as the Premier League continues to suck up all the oxygen and money when it comes to TV rights deals.
Other figures that raised eyebrows in the report concern player wages. In the Premier League, clubs spent 49% of their revenues in keeping the player’s pockets bulging despite salaries around the continent only rising by 3% in 2023.
UEFA believes that the cost control rules are having an effect. Spending on wages and transfers is capped at 70% of revenue for next season. There has also been a 19% increase in non-player wage growth, which may signify that clubs are spending more on technical and administrative staff.
The most expensive squad in Europe was Chelsea FC whose combined spending at the end of the 2024 financial year was €1.66bn. In comparison, the previous record was held by Real Madrid who spent €1.33bn in 2020.
Joining the billionaire list were Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal.
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at moc.l1741599876labto1741599876ofdlr1741599876owedi1741599876sni@o1741599876fni1741599876