Manchester United have dropped a place to third in the Deloitte rich list behind Real Madrid and Barcelona but could claim the No1 position next year for the first time in more than a decade, according to the company.
United’s revenue of €519.5m for 2014-15 broke the half a billion euro barrier for a second consecutive season. A record nine Premier League clubs are placed in the top 20, generating €3bn between them, with West Ham United a new entry.
Real are top for an 11th straight year, their €577m beating Barcelona's €560.8m. Paris Saint-Germain are in fourth on €480.8m, the French club leapfrogging Bayern Munich, who are fifth on €474m. Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool occupy the next four places. Newcastle United have climbed two places to 17th, overtaking Internazionale in the process, despite their poor form.
Manchester United were the only club in the top 10 who did not participate in the Champions League last season, a further indicator of the club’s financial strength.
Deloitte’s Tim Bridge said: “The fact Manchester United remain in the top three of the money league demonstrates the underlying strength of the club’s business model. The return to Champions League football [THIS SEASON], as well as the commencement of a number of significant commercial partnerships, will only strengthen the business in 2015-16.
“With this in mind, it would not be surprising to see United top next year’s money league for the first time in 12 years, with the club forecasting revenues of around £500m [€650M].”
Dan Jones, who edited the report, said: “For the first time the top three clubs in the Football Money League have all passed the €500m revenue mark. Real Madrid once again delivered a strong financial performance, buoyed by growth in their commercial revenue. The planned redevelopment of the Santiago Bernabéu will help to continue the growth in matchday income in the coming years.
“Barcelona’s achievements in the 2014-15 season have translated to financial success. The European champions have climbed to second place at the expense of Manchester United, with revenue growth across all areas of the business – matchday, broadcast and commercial.”
West Ham’s entry into the top 20 is the first time the club has featured there since 2005-06. Their €160.9m revenue increased from €139.3m and bodes well before next season’s move to the Olympic Stadium.
Although the continent’s five major leagues – the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A and Ligue 1 – grew, the top five clubs’ growth rate decreased. “We have seen a slowdown of growth from the top five clubs, with revenues growing by just four per cent year on year, compared to 11 per cent in the previous edition,” Jones said. “It may be hard for new clubs to break into the top 10 in the short term, given the €43.3m revenue gap between 10th and 11th place.”
Of how the list is compiled, Jones said: “There are a number of metrics, both financial and non-financial, that can be used to compare clubs including attendance, worldwide fan base, broadcast audience and on-pitch success. In the money league we focus on clubs’ ability to generate revenue from matchday (including ticket and corporate hospitality sales), broadcast rights (including distributions from participation in domestic leagues, cups and European club competitions) and commercial sources (including sponsorship, merchandising, stadium tours and other commercial operations), and rank them on that basis.
“To gain entry to the top 20, substantial broadcast revenue continues to be critical, especially that generated from participation in the Champions League. For the biggest clubs the rewards of progression play an important role also. The 2014-15 finalists – Barcelona and Juventus – saw increases in Uefa distributions of €19.1m and €39m respectively, whilst last year’s finalists – Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid – saw decreases as a result of not matching their exploits of 2013-14.”
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