England's top four clubs in the Premier League are in a
financial league of their own and earned at least £14million more
than fifth-place Tottenham from television cash and prize money in
the 2006-07 season.
Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and to a lesser extent
Arsenal all cashed in on making it to the knockout rounds of the
Champions League. And even with £2.2billion flooding into the
Premier League from a new television deal, which will mean every
club in the top flight benefiting by at least an extra £12million,
the Champions League will still separate the 'have-lots' from the
'have-less'.
Tom Cannon, dean of Buckingham University Business School and an
expert in sport business, said: "The percentage difference might
reduce because there's so much money going into the Premier League
but the absolute difference won't reduce - in fact it might
increase." He added: "A reasonable run in the Champions League is
worth about £30million and a comparable run in the UEFA Cup run is
probably worth £5million."
The Glazer family, United's American owners, will be delighted to
see the club re-establish themselves as top of the money league
with a total of £62.92million - and that figure does not include
gate money from Old Trafford, merchandise sales or income from club
sponsorship deals. Chelsea also broke the £60million mark while
Liverpool's run to the Champions League final will see them bring
in at least £54.7million - with a further £2million should they
beat AC Milan in next week's final in Athens.
Arsenal's failure to reach the quarter-finals of Europe's top club
competition cost them several millions - but their total figure of
£44.14million was still £14million more than north London rivals
Spurs, who had a total of £30.55million and with UEFA Cup earnings
more than £11million less than the Gunners' from Europe.
Relegated Watford were the Premiership's lowest earners, bringing
in £17.98million.
