Game in town

Former Arsenal player Samir Nasri goads Gunners fans after his new club Manchester City won the Premier League title. It’s still the most financially lucrative match in football and opens the door for so many other spin-offs. Adam Ball of Deloitte

won through to the playoff final, having beaten Cardiff in the semis.

Another year deprived of the TV revenue guaranteed for the top clubs would hamper their efforts to move forward although, like Blackpool, West Ham have the security net of another £32 million ($62m) of ‘‘parachute’’ payments over the next two seasons if they do not return to the top flight.

‘‘While [last year’s playoff winners] Swansea City were assured of a £90 million [$188m] windfall, the fact that West Ham and Blackpool are still eligible for parachute payments means that in real terms they are playing for £45m [$94m],’’ Adam Ball of Deloitte said.

‘‘Clubs who are relegated and don’t come back up for at least three seasons get £16m [$33m] per season.

‘‘However, it’s still the most financially lucrative match in football and opens the door for so many other spin-offs.’’

West Ham co-owner David Sullivan rejected suggestions promotion would provide an instant fix to the club’s debt – estimated at $230m when he and David Gold rescued the club in 2010.

‘‘To be honest, that is rubbish. I don’t think people realise the financial burden on you if you go up,’’ Sullivan, who became a millionaire through the adult entertainment industry, told The Sun.

‘‘Promotion alone brings a further £14m [$29m] in debt with £7m going in bonuses and £7m [$14.5m] to honour changes to player’s contracts.

‘‘We brought players on Premier league wages in the Championship. They didn’t come for love, loyalty counts for nothing in football. Then if we are promoted we will bring in another four or five new players,’’ Sullivan said.

‘‘Work it out? The richest game in football doesn’t cover that.’’