We all know there is great disparity between the clubs at the top and the
bottom of the Premier League, but what are the actual numbers?
To illustrate the difference
we're using Manchester United and Burnley as examples; with the numbers
from their revenue, for the 2014-15 season. We're using these figures as Burnley
are yet to release their most recent annual report, but crucially, they were in
the Premier League for this season, although they were relegated in May.
Bear mind also that this is prior to the Premier League's latest TV deal.
Football clubs split their revenue into three categories: Broadcasting, Commercial
and Matchday. Broadcasting accounts for their income from the Premier League TV
deals and individual televised matches. Commercial from their sponsorship deals
and retail sales and Matchday from ticket and catering sales. in 2015
Burnley recorded seven million 489 thousand-pound in matchday income.
Four million 695 thousand in Commercial and 66.586 in Broadcasting, dwarfing the two
other figures.
This meant that their total revenue for the season was 78 million, seven hundred
and seventy thousand pounds.
The key here is the club's Broadcasting income. To illustrate the difference
between leagues, note that Burnley's broadcasting income for their previous
season, in the Championship, was just under 12 million. Hence, avoiding
relegation is key.
Manchester United recorded 19 million 583,000 in Matchday income, 107 million 664,000
in Broadcasting and an enormous 196 million 931,000 pounds in
Commercial revenue. This meant their total revenue for the season was 395
million 178,000 pounds. That's over 300 million
pound more than Burnley or just over five times greater.
It should also be noted that Manchester United's revenue had actually dropped
from a previous year high of over 433 million pounds.
This was largely due to a lack of Champions League football.
The club also recently announced revenue of 513 million in their most recent
report. The greatest disparities come in Matchday and Commercial revenue.
United's supreme commercial income is as a result of numerous corporate sponsorship ties
and their global appeal, which is largely due to them winning a lot for a long
time. The disparity in Matchday income is clearly to do with stadium capacity.
Turf Moor sits 22,546 supporters compared to the 75,000 at Old Trafford.
United's average season ticket is also much more expensive at 532 pounds to Burnley's 390.
This disparity is the reason that clubs like Arsenal and Tottenham are willing
to absorb great expense to build larger stadiums. There is a larger disparity
still between the clubs salary expenses. Burnley paid a 167
staff a total of twenty nine million three hundred ninety-five thousand
pounds.
Manchester United paid 869 staff 214 million eight hundred and three thousand pounds,
this included 91 media staff, likely MUTV employees, and a hundred thirty-eight
commercial staff. Also a hundred and seventy-one footballers, coaches and
technical staff, compared to Burnley's 109. This gap is huge, yet money
isn't everything. Burnley have the lowest revenue in the league. Should they
survive relegation this season they would have technically overachieved.