‘Big Six’ push for bigger share of TV cash

LONDON: The Premier League’s so-called ‘Big Six’ clubs have all smashed through the Premier League £1 billion (RM5.4 billion) prize money barrier this season, underlining the stranglehold they have at the top at a time when they are looking to claim a bigger percentage of overseas TV rights.

With the final Premier League positions decided yesterday, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester City will all join Manchester United among an elite band who have earned £1 billion in TV money since the inception of the Premier League in 1992-93.

There have been 49 clubs in the Premier League, who have now split £20 million between them. But in a stark illustration of how the select few have far greater earning potential, the Big Six — who represent 12 per cent of the clubs — have taken £6.6 billion, or 33 per cent, of the prize money.

Everton, the only club outside of the Big Six to have been in the EPL throughout, are not far behind the billionaires, commanding a total of £959 million.

But all other clubs are then way behind, with West Ham and Newcastle, who have both had a major Premier League presence, next best, both earning a little over £800 million.

One source from a club outside the elite six said: “The others are all way ahead. This shows why an equitable split of TV rights is in the interests of a league which sells itself on its competitiveness.”

Premier League executive chairman Richard Scudamore told clubs at their last shareholders’ meeting that the dispute over the carve-up of 2019-22 overseas broadcast revenue must be resolved at a meeting next month.

Plans by the Big Six to drive through major reform to the distribution of foreign broadcast rights revenue were shelved amid disagreement.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Spurs had all demanded a bigger share.