Manchaster United fail to keep pace in financial stakes

Manchaster United fail to keep pace in financial stakes

Real Madrid remain top of the money league
with revenues in 2010/11 of (£438m) with
Barcelona second on (£398m) and
Manchester United third on (£349m).
The report by analysts Deloitte says
although United's revenues continue to grow
they have not kept pace with the Spanish
giants, who have the advantage of being able
to negotiate their individual TV rights deals.
The report states: "We are starting to see
widening gaps between clubs at the top of
the Money League.
"Manchester United's consistent on-pitch
success has helped establish it as a continued
fixture in the top three of the Money League,
yet in recent years a gap has grown between
themselves and the Spanish giants
Real Madrid and Barcelona, rising again to
83.7m euro in this year's edition.
"United's failure to qualify for the 2011/12
Champions League knockout phase will
have a detrimental effect on revenues
relative to the top two, which may result in
this gap increasing to over 100m euro.
"In addition, there is a 70m euro gap between
fourth-placed Bayern Munich and fifth-
placed Arsenal.''
Chelsea remain sixth in the Money League,
but Liverpool have fallen a place to ninth
behind Inter Milan and the report states the
Reds' lack of European football could see
them drop out of the top 10 unless they at
least qualify for the Europa League.
"The club needs European football each year
to maintain its status in the Money League
top 10 in future editions,'' says the report.
"In the medium to longer term, the Warrior
Sports kit deal will underpin further
commercial revenue growth, whilst
formulating a viable plan to either redevelop
Anfield or move to a new home is key in
driving matchday revenue increases."
Tottenham are 11th in the Money League,
just in front of Manchester City thanks to
last season's Champions League income, but
the value of the huge Etihad sponsorship
deal, which could total £400m, should see
City break into the top 10 next year.
Alan Switzer, a director of Deloitte's sports
business group, said: "The club's heavy squad
investment secured Champions League
football for 2011/12. When combined with
the groundbreaking 10-year partnership with
Etihad, this will provide substantial growth
across all three revenue sources and will see
City break into the top 10 in the Money
League next year."
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