FIFA TMS records 5.1% jump in player sales to $7.35bn for 2019
January 23 – Football clubs worldwide splashed out a record $7.35 billion (€6.63 million) on transfers in the men’s game in 2019, according to the latest FIFA report.
Finance
Red Bull gives you (money) wings, but Brøndby fans tell energy drink to fly off
January 23 – Energy drink giants Red Bull, which already owns clubs in Germany, Austria, the USA and Brazil, are now reportedly targeting Brøndby, one of Denmark’s biggest teams where there is fierce opposition to the move.
Financial blues at Chelsea and Everton show UEFA complacency is unjustified
By David Owen
You would never guess from the complacent tone of the new UEFA club licensing benchmarking report, but January 2020 may be set to go down as a turning-point in English, and therefore European, club finances – and not in a good way.
New stadium thinking could offer Europe’s clubs a revenue lifeline
January 20 – With all indicators pointing to a significant slowdown – and for many leagues a decline – in broadcast revenues, a section of the just published UEFA Benchmark report points to a clear area of growth opportunity.
Rooney-inspired Derby face points deduction after falling foul of finance rules
January 17 – English Championship club Derby County have been charged by the English Football League (EFL) for a breach of spending rules and face a possible points deduction.
Europe’s leagues generate record €21bn but obesity warnings issued on Big 5 clubs
January 17 – The 712 top-flight clubs in Europe’s 55 leagues earned a record €21 billion in the 2018 financial year, up by 20% according to the latest “benchmarking” report from UEFA.
Everton come unstuck with towering £111.8 m loss as Usmanov lurks in wings
By David Owen
January 15 – Everton have become the second Premier League club this month to report losses of more than £100 million.
Fanatiz raises $10m from 777 Partners to roll out streaming service beyond Americas
January 15 – The investor rush to secure positions in technology companies and applications that are changing the football business, and the broadcast business in particular, has seen another investment in a streaming service.
Barca oust Real at top of revenue table, Man Utd, Bayern, PSG and City follow
By David Owen
January 14 – Barcelona have supplanted bitter rivals Real Madrid at the top of this year’s Deloitte Football Money League, heading the ranking of the 20 highest revenue-generating world football clubs for the first time.
Nigerian Dangote says he has his sights set on Gunners, but not until 2021
January 14 – The richest man in Africa has made the sensational claim that he plans to buy Arsenal some time next year.
Abramovich pumps £247m into Chelsea as Conte walks away with £26m
January 8 – Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich poured £247 million into the club last season as the club recorded an overall loss of £96.6 million according to latest accounts.
Mbappé and Sterling top player value ranking at over €220m. Neymar plummets to €100m
January 8 – A player valuation ranking by the CIES Football Observatory makes Kylian Mbappé (France and Paris St-Germain) the world’s most valuable player at €265.2 million, with Man City and England’s Raheem Sterling at €223.7 million.
Sunderland board says owner Donald has ‘no option’ other than sell the club
January 8 – Sunderland owner Stewart Donald (pictured) has confirmed via a statement on the club website that he will sell the League One club after mounting pressure from supporters over the holiday period demanding he leave. Donald has been in ownership charge for 18-months.
A Hazardous business? Chelsea singing financial blues but should rebound next year
By David Owen
January 2 – Chelsea, the West London club whose new young team has surprised many this season with the spirit and consistency of their play under former talisman Frank Lampard, has reported a hefty loss for the year to end-June 2019.
Pallotta poised to complete €780m Roma sale to Friedkin Group
January 3 – Serie A’s Roma looks set to change hands between American owners with James Pallotta (pictured) reportedly having agreed a €780 million deal with the Texas-based Friedkin Group run by billionaire Dan Freidkin.