Top tier clubs getting richer

The latest Uefa benchmarking report suggests that 'The underlying health of European club football is highlighted, with the 700 top-division clubs together generating the highest operating profits before transfers in history and year-on-year revenue growth of almost 10 per cent. Clubs are generating revenue but they are also investing in assets and infrastructure, thanks in part to UEFA’s financial fair play regulations. For the first time, club investments in stadiums and other long-term fixed assets exceeded €1bn in 2016.'

The report states, 'Few, if any activities, can come close to matching the continuous 10 per cent year-on-year growth in revenues that English club football has generated since the turn of the century.' Everything depends on accessing the end 'customer', 'the huge pool of football supporters.'

The report warns, 'Once more, we cannot help but note that the polarisation of commercial and sponsorship revenues between the top tier of clubs and the rest is accelerating. The top 12 ‘global’ clubs generated a dramatic increase in commercial and sponsorship revenues of €1.58bn in six years – more than double the increase of all other European top -division clubs combined.'

It is noted that 'Only a limited number of clubs are able to fully exploit the enormous commercial opportunities offered by the global market. These clubs are opening offices across the world, introducing new categories and tiers to their commercial partnerships and using technology to offer tailored access to their supporters and expand the brand of both the clubs and their partners.'