By John Considine
In the 2016 edition of the Deloitte Football Money League (DFML), Leicester City's revenue is €137m, up from €37m a year earlier. In the 2017 edition the club's revenue jumps to €172m. A year later it is €271m. When Leicester City won the Premier League in 2015-6, Sunderland escaped relegation under the guidance of Sam Allardyce. In the 2016 edition of DFML, the revenue listed for Sunderland is €133m. That is only €4m behind Leicester. In April 2020, they languish in 7th place in the third-tier of English football. A premature end to the season will condemn them to another season in the same division (although their form suggests that this could have happened anyway).
Four other teams, that featured in the 2016 edition of the DFML but not in subsequent editions, have a lot riding on any decision to finish the season early (Aston Villa, West Brom, Swansea, Stoke). Aston Villa are currently in the Premier League relegation zone (but with a game in hand on those around them). West Bromwich Albion are in the second automatic promotion place in the second-tier of English football. Promotion would bring them back into the big money. One of their closest rivals, Wolves, have shown the benefits of promotion. Returning to the Premier League in 2018-9, after a six-year absence, Wolves turned up in 25th position in the 2020 DFML. Under normal circumstances, and their current league position, they would probably make it into the Top-20 in the 2021 edition.
Swansea City are three points away from the playoff places. Stoke City are a point outside the relegation zone that would mean playing Sunderland next year. Like West Brom, Stoke would be happy to end the season in the same position.
The revenue implications of promotion and relegation are sizeable. These implications will play a large role in the discussions about the way to end the 2019-2020 season.
Four other teams, that featured in the 2016 edition of the DFML but not in subsequent editions, have a lot riding on any decision to finish the season early (Aston Villa, West Brom, Swansea, Stoke). Aston Villa are currently in the Premier League relegation zone (but with a game in hand on those around them). West Bromwich Albion are in the second automatic promotion place in the second-tier of English football. Promotion would bring them back into the big money. One of their closest rivals, Wolves, have shown the benefits of promotion. Returning to the Premier League in 2018-9, after a six-year absence, Wolves turned up in 25th position in the 2020 DFML. Under normal circumstances, and their current league position, they would probably make it into the Top-20 in the 2021 edition.
Swansea City are three points away from the playoff places. Stoke City are a point outside the relegation zone that would mean playing Sunderland next year. Like West Brom, Stoke would be happy to end the season in the same position.
The revenue implications of promotion and relegation are sizeable. These implications will play a large role in the discussions about the way to end the 2019-2020 season.
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