Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-01-25 09:41:46
In the 2022-23 season, Real Madrid has claimed the top spot in football’s ‘Money League’ as they surpassed Manchester City to become the highest revenue-generating club. Real reported a record revenue of 831 million euros ($905 million), an increase of 118 million euros over the previous year, marking the first time since 2017-18 that they have been in this position in Deloitte’s financial rankings. This growth is attributed to strong retail performance, higher stadium attendance, and recovery of sponsorship income following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions, despite their failure to win La Liga and losing in the Champions League semi-finals to Manchester City.
Manchester City, who won the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup last season, has fallen to second place in the 2024 rankings, reporting its highest ever revenue for a season, 826 million euros. Paris Saint-Germain broke into the top three for the first time with revenues of 802 million euros. Barcelona has also climbed to fourth position with 800 million euros revenue, with a club record licensing and merchandising revenues, and fans returning to the stadiums.
The largest income stream for ‘Money League’ clubs is commercial revenue represented, with 17 of the top 20 clubs reporting a year-on-year increase, largely due to improved retail sales, revenue from non-matchday events, and recovery of sponsorship income which had been impacted by the pandemic.
Deloitte’s lead partner in the Sports Business Group, Tim Bridge, mentioned that creating a more commercially focused business model will support clubs to achieve greater control over their financial stability, as clubs can no longer rely on exponential broadcast revenue growth.
Liverpool has seen the biggest fall in the top 20, dropping from third place down to seventh, and Manchester United dropped one place to fifth despite a healthier revenue figure than the season before. Tottenham and Chelsea have also switched places compared to last year, with Tottenham rising one place to eighth.
The men’s team rankings are led by Real Madrid, followed by Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, and Manchester United, while the women’s club rankings are led by Barcelona, followed by Manchester United, Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Arsenal.
Read the original article on The Guardian
