United retain top spot in ‘Money League’

MANCHESTER United narrowly pipped Real Madrid to remain the top revenue-generating club in the world as Premier League sides underlined their growing financial clout, Deloitte’s “Money League” report said yesterday.

It is the 10th time United have topped Deloitte’s list, with a revenue in 2016-17 of € 676 million ($828 million) – just € 1.7 million ahead of the Spanish giants.

Barcelona are third in the 21st edition of the list compiled by the British-based business advisory firm, followed by Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Arsenal.

Combined revenue for the top 20 Money League clubs in the 2016-17 season grew six percent to € 7.9 billion, a new record.

United’s Europa League victory was crucial to their financial performance, with Real Madrid’s figures boosted by wi nni ng the Champions League and their Spanish league triumph.

A record 10 English clubs feature in the top 20, generating a total revenue of € 3.8 billion, helped by income from the first season of the current record Premier League broadcast rights deal.

Broadcast revenue is now the largest individual revenue stream for the Money League clubs, making up 45 percent of total revenue and there is increasing speculation that the likes of Amazon and Facebook could become serious players, potentially giving a fresh cash injection.

A separate study released earlier this month showed Premier League leaders Manchester City have greater financial muscle than any other club in world football, with Arsenal second and United in seventh place.

T h e So c c e re x Fo o t b a l l Finance 100 ranked the world’s top teams based on both their playing and fixed assets, money in the bank, owner potential investment and debt.

Deloi t t e League 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Football Money 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. Liverpool Juventus Spurs Dortmund Atletico Madrid Leicester Inter Schalke West Ham Southampton Napoli Everton