Brentford eye €175m windfall from winner-takes-all derby
BRENTFORD stand to earn around £160million (€175m) over three years in additional revenue if they beat Fulham in tonight’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 £265m (€295m) over five years, with Championship winners Leeds benefiting to the same tune as Brentford. Fulham would receive around £135m (€150m) over three years if they beat their fellow west Londoners, a reduced amount because they are currently in receipt of parachute payments after their relegation to the Championship in 2019.
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 topend 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 £160m is made up of an estimated £85m in central broadcasting distributions, and parachute payments over the 2021-’22 and 2022-’23 seasons totalling £75m if they are relegated next summer.
The figure is slightly down from the £170m 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 coronavirus pandemic.
The 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 £265m (€295m) 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.”
Fulham manager Scott Parker will have top goalscorer Aleksandar Mitrovic available for tonight’s showdown.
The Serbian missed both semi-final legs against Cardiff City with a hamstring injury, but has returned to training and is available for selection as the Cottagers look to secure a Premier League return.
Mitrovic scored 26 times in the Championship this season, the same as Brentford’s Ollie Watkins, but clinched the golden boot ahead of his local rival after playing fewer minutes.
Brentford v Fulham, Live, Sky Sports, 7.45