BIG SIX RALLY BEHIND BOEHLY TO PUSH FOR MORE TV CASH

The Big Six are planning another cash grab by pushing for a greater share of the Premier League’s overseas television revenue. This follows growth in the value of foreign rights in recent years reducing their advantage over the rest of the top flight.

The earnings ratio of the Premier League’s top to bottom club has narrowed from 1.8/1 to 1.5/1 over the past three years, with champions Manchester City picking up £153.1million in TV earnings last season compared to bottom club Norwich City’s pot of £100.6m. It is a significant change largely due to the increase in overseas rights deals from £3.3billion to £5.4bn over the same period. The Premier League’s overseas fees were split equally between the 20 clubs until 2019, when a merit-based element was introduced, but performance-related payments only account for £77m of the £1.06bn paid out to the clubs last season. Chelsea’s new owner Todd Boehly believes the big clubs with a large global following deserve a greater share of television income. his stance has emboldened other clubs, although they face a battle to win the backing of the rest of the league.