Revenues surge among football’s highest earners

The world’s 20 biggest-earning football clubs increased their revenues by 14% last season, according to Deloitte, with Real Madrid taking the top spot once again.

The 18th Football Money League study from the business advisory firm shows that these clubs achieved revenues of €6.2 billion (£5.2 billion) between them, with the figure rising by €800 million (£669 million) in annual terms.

Real Madrid tops the league

Real Madrid boosted its revenues by €30.6 million (£25.6 million), or 6%, on the back of stronger broadcast and commercial performances. It also won the 2013/14 Champions League tournament.

With its revenues amounting to €549.5 million (£459.5 million), the Spanish club has now topped the money chart in each of the last 10 years.

‘Remarkable growth’

Dan Jones, partner in Deloitte’s Sports Business Group, said the top 20 earners have seen “remarkable” growth in recent times.

He added: “Commercial and broadcast revenues are now more important than ever to clubs to enable them to compete financially and put the best talent on the pitch.

“This has led to further dominance from the ‘big five’ European leagues this year, with just Galatasaray making it in from outside of those leagues.”

Mr Jones said that despite the dominance of Real Madrid, the club could be challenged by Manchester United in the future.

The English club was named as the second-highest earner during the 2013/14 period, with its revenues reaching €518 million (£433.2 million).

It has become only the second club to ever exceed the €500 million mark.

Premier League successes

Other Premier League clubs performing well last year included Newcastle United and Everton, both of which made it onto the list of the top 20 global earners.

Meanwhile, the top 40 includes all of the English Premier League teams.

In terms of the top 10, only one new entrant has made it onto the list this time around, suggesting a degree of stability among the highest-earning clubs.

Six of the teams in the top 10 were non-movers, while the top three - Real Madrid, Manchester United and Bayern Munich - have been among the leading 10 positions since Deloitte began its Football Money League study.

Boost for North West clubs

Looking specifically at the North West of England, Deloitte has also revealed that this region is performing particularly positively.

It said four clubs - Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool and Everton - are on the top 20 list of high earners, generating revenues of £1.2 billion between them over the course of 2013/14.

Mr Jones said: “It was a very successful year for the North West clubs. No other region in the world has as many clubs in the top 20 and these clubs play a major role in the North West economy.”

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