The Premier League have announced how much money each side has received from broadcast and commercial revenues this season - which again underlines the challenge facing Championship clubs looking escape the second tier.
Liverpool, despite finishing second behind Manchester City, received the most, collecting over £152m, while reigning Champions City earned just under £2m less.
Manchester United received just over £142m, despite not qualifying for the Champions League, which was also more than Arsenal, who finished one place above the in the league table.
What is perhaps more interesting for Leeds United fans are the figures at the bottom of the table.
Huddersfield received just under £97m for finishing rock-bottom of the pile, second-bottom Fulham collected just over £101m, and Cardiff earned over £102m from their season in the top-flight, giving those three sides a hefty financial advantage in the second tier next season.
The Premier League has announced the value of payments of broadcast and central commercial revenues to Clubs for the 2018/19 season
— Premier League Communications (@PLComms) May 23, 2019
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The figures are based on the value of payments of broadcast and central commercial revenues clubs have received for the 2019/20 season.
The league’s central revenues are distributed to clubs in the following manner:
- UK broadcast revenues: 50 per cent equally shared; 25 percent shared based on how often a club’s matches are broadcast in the UK (known as "Facility Fees"); and 25 per cent shared based on where a club finish in the league table (known as "Merit Payments")
- Central Commercial revenues: Equally shared by clubs
- International broadcasting revenues: Equally shared by clubs
While the Premier League also supports the EFL with more than £100m per season of Solidarity Payments and ring-fenced Youth Development grants.
What these figures mean for Leeds United
This is in stalk contrast to the expected earnings in the Championship, where clubs are set to earn in the region of £7million each before the TV money is added. Leeds United were the most televised side in the league this past season and will see just shy of £1.5million added to this total, meaning relegated Huddersfield will trouser more than ten time what Leeds have made in prize and broadcasting money this term.
With the Championship generally being a loss-making league for clubs across the competition, this financial disparity is one of the key issues for sides that are looking to win promotion.
Yet to be added to these figures are the parachute payments that the relegated sides will receive for the next three seasons, which will begin at approximately £40million this year.
Leeds chairman Andrea Radrizzani spoke of a 'difficult' transfer market ahead this summer and these figures underline why this will be the case.
