Soccer

Brentford eye €178m windfall with Premier League promotion

Championship play-off against rivals Fulham most valuable single match in world football

A fan clad in Griffin Park 4 Ever shirt as Brentford play their final match at the stadium during the Championship play-off semi-final second match against Swansea City. The Bees are moving to a new stadium. Photograph: Getty

Mon Aug 3 2020 - 18:50

Brentford stand to earn about £160 million (€178 million) over three years in additional revenue if they beat Fulham in Tuesday night's Championship play-off final, according to sports financial analysts Deloitte.

The game remains the most valuable single match in world football, as it brings with it the prize of Premier League football and access to the television money afforded to top-flight clubs.

Deloitte say that if the Bees were to survive their first season the additional revenue would rise to £265 million over five years, with Championship winners Leeds benefiting to the same tune as Brentford.

Fulham would receive about £135 million over three years if they beat their fellow west Londoners, a reduced amount because they are in receipt of parachute payments after relegation to the Championship in 2019.

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Dan Jones, partner and head of the sports business group at Deloitte, said: “This season’s Championship has been temporarily interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic. However as the season comes to a close all eyes will be on Wembley in what still remains world football’s biggest financial, winner-takes-all prize match.

“Despite the disruption to the season the league has remained extremely competitive at the top end of the table, and yet again the play-off semi-finals have provided supporters and neutral football fans with excellent entertainment.”

Deloitte said the additional £160 million comprises an estimated £85 million in central broadcasting distributions, and parachute payments over the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons totalling £75 million if they are relegated next summer.

Pandemic cost

The figure is slightly down from the £170 million Deloitte has estimated promoted sides would earn in previous seasons, due to anticipated rebates having to be paid to broadcasters for this season’s disruption caused by the pandemic.

Director of Deloitte’s sports business group Tim Bridge said: “The financial prize for Brentford or Fulham, as well as Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion, is likely to be in excess of £265 million if they survive their first season in the Premier League.

“Furthermore, given the recent impact of Covid-19, it is likely that the financial impact of promotion will be better received than ever before.

“The increased revenue provides these clubs with the platform from which they can develop on and off the pitch. Promotion to the Premier League provides clubs with the financial resources to make strategic investments.

“While this typically includes increased expenditure in on-pitch playing talent, it still remains important that promoted clubs are committed to their longer-term financial responsibility.” – (PA)

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