Liverpool FC Forum

[A.B.]

PREMIER LEAGUE SHOWS COLLECTIVE STRENGTH
The presence of eight Barclays Premiership representatives in the top 20 of the world's biggest football clubs, by income, demonstrates the global strength and success of the FA Premier League.

The Deloitte Football Money League for the 2003/04 season sees Manchester United maintain top position for the eighth year in a row with an income of £171.5million.

Current Barclays Premiership leaders Chelsea have climbed six places to fourth with an income of £143.7million, while Arsenal (£115million) and Liverpool (£92.3million) are also in the top 10.

Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and Aston Villa complete the representation from England's top-flight competition.

And Deloitte's research has shown that the Barclays Premiership clubs have a much more balanced spread of revenue than their European counterparts.

Spanish and Italian clubs, in particular, are more dependent on broadcasting largely due to their individual broadcast rights deals.

"The Premier League is the most redistributed major league in Europe," said a Premier League spokesman.

"This is borne out by the fact we account for three of the top 20 clubs in terms of income, with two of those being new entries.

"Collective selling of our TV rights underpins the good work of our clubs in developing and maintaining matchday and commercial income, which all helps maintain the Premier League as the best domestic competition in the world."

Barclays Premiership clubs further differentiate themselves through the revenue-earning capability of their stadium facilities.

Paul Rawnsley from the Sports Business Group at Deloitte said: “In general, UK clubs have consistently managed, through focused investment and targeted marketing, to achieve enhanced returns from their stadium asset.

"This has helped them to achieve a more balanced spread of revenues compared to many clubs on the continent.

"Many of Europe’s leading clubs have a great, and as yet relatively unexploited, opportunity to develop significant income streams from their stadia.”


In England top four richest clubs

1.Manchester United- 171.5 million
2.Chelsea- 143.7 million
3.Arsenal- 115 million
4.Liverpool- 92.3 million

It seems that we're in fourth place in almost everything and that will have to change considering the stature of our club. However they way the papers have made it sound along with some of the fans you wouldn't think that we're one of the ten richest clubs in the world.

[Dalglish]

Liverpol are down from 6th or 8th I think AB from last years figures. It does go to show though that LFC have the ability to generate vast amounts in terms of revenue as we are going to need further investment for both the new stadium and new players ....

Walk on

[A.B.]

I see that this topic was already made, this can be locked.

[Dalglish]

I didn't see it AB , my apologies mate

[Ciggy]

Its aload of bollox even celtic and rangers are in that list    it doesnt mean a thing.

[azriahmad]

That is because this is only one side of the equation, CGGY.

While it is an important element, income alone does not tell you the whole picture. The other side are the outgoings and the level of debts. Manure is debt free, as is Bayern Munich. The rest, apart from Chelski, are in varying levels of debt. Reportedly or rumours (I can't clarify in the absence of being able to see the full set of accounts) is that Barca and Madrid head the list, with Madrid having slashed their debts after selling their training ground in Madrid but their spending habbits on galacticos surely have brought the debts level up again.

We were reportedly in debt of some 18 million in June 2004 (from the Thais' due dilligence on Liverpool when Moores was courting them). This may have come down since. A lot of fans will be in utter disbelief that Liverpool are in debt and surely will rubbish what I have said but just think for a moment that Liverpool has been out of the CL for a very long time and during Houllier's reign, he did progressively make big purchases. Surely these purchases must have been funded by other means if the revenue is not sufficient.

That is why CL participation is very important, as it boosts the revenue stream. Liverpool should still be OK with the present level of debt as the revenue stream is pretty strong but it cannot be prolonged. That is very much evident, unless we can get into the CL and keep going untuk the knockout stages or another Roman Abrahamovic-esque investor comes along.