Deloitte Football Money League: Arsenal, West Ham, Spurs and Chelsea in Top 20 as Palace join financial elite

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James Benge21 January 2016

Four London sides have been named in the Deloitte Football Money League top 20 as West Ham make the European rankings for the first time since 2006.

No city other than London has ever had three teams in the top 20; four sets a new record to further reinforce the sense that the capital’s financial pre-eminence is being reflected on the football field.

Both Arsenal and Chelsea find themselves in the top 10 having earned over £300 million each, with Arsene Wenger’s side leapfrogging the champions largely due to the largest matchday revenue of any club in the world.

Tottenham remain a firm fixture inside the top twenty, rising one place to 12th after a substantial 38 per cent increase in their commercial revenue.

West Ham saw a five per cent rise in their revenues to move into 20th, just behind Inter Milan and on course for significant further revenue growth when they move into the Olympic Stadium at the start of next season.

Deloitte Football Money League

That includes Crystal Palace, planning to undertake an ambitious redevelopment of Selhurst Park after investment from American duo Josh Harris and David Blitzer, who make their debut in the lower rankings of the Money League, in 28th place after raising revenue to £99.5m.

In further proof of the financial muscle of the English game Palace find themselves ahead of major continental names such as Napoli, ranked 30th, and Porto, Celtic and Besiktas, all giants of their domestic games who do not make it into the list of monied elite.

For the Premier League clubs who also happen to be in London it is a case of a double win, as editor of the report Dan Jones explained to Standard Sport.

“The Premier League is the most valuable competition in football, being in it automatically lifts you into the top echelon of European clubs, and London is the most-high profile city around the globe.

Deloitte Football Money League

“If you’re lucky enough to be in London it’s another layer of value to your brand.

“So even for a relatively small club like Palace their presence in the Premier League, in London brings an awful amount to them.”

The Money League paints a particularly rosy picture for Spurs and West Ham, echoing the bright performances on the pitch that have defined both team’s season.

With both clubs set to move into new grounds in the coming years, and the Olympic Stadium offering West Ham a 54 per cent increase in available seats, West Ham and Spurs are likely to remain firmly ensconced in the top 20.

Despite the success of London sides the gap between Europe’s biggest sides and the chasing pack has grown dramatically over the past year, with over £30m separating 10th placed Juventus and their nearest rivals Borussia Dortmund.

And Jones doubts that either West Ham or Spurs will be able to bridge that gap, even with their new stadia: “The top 10 is a really big ask for any side.

“Juventus are twice as big as West Ham. Even allowing for a new TV deal, that’s a heck of a gap to bridge.”

“For West Ham a more realistic ambition is to consolidate and cement their place in the top 20.”

The Premier League’s new £8 billion TV deal, set to kick in at the start of next season, is likely to further entrench English sides financial dominance over the rest of Europe.

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