Following the news that the Premier League is providing a £250m support package to the English Football League (EFL); Conrad Wiacek, Head of Sports Analysis for GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, offers his view:
“While the £250m support package is welcome, more financial support would be highly beneficial. With Premier League teams generating over £1.46bn in revenue from sponsorship deals alone for the 2020/21 season, according to GlobalData, it is evident that the rescue package that the Premier League is providing to the EFL could be far more generous – as the figure is only 10% more than Chelsea FC spent on player transfers in the 2020 summer transfer window.
“Alongside a domestic media rights package worth over £4.7bn, the Premier League is one of the most lucrative sports leagues in the world and preserving the uniqueness of the English football pyramid should be seen as a long-term investment, protecting community clubs and grassroots soccer.
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“That said, with Premier League clubs estimated to lose over £450m in ticket revenue alone, should fans not be allowed back into grounds before March 2021, the package provided to the EFL should ensure that club finances are shored up and staff and wages are paid. This money will guarantee the survival of all 72 league clubs [Championship, League One and League Two clubs] in the short-term. However, the relatively modest bail out still raises questions about the long-term viability of the many EFL clubs should capacity crowds not return this season.”
*Data taken from GlobalData’s report: The Business of the English Premier League.
