The latest annual review of football finance from Deloitte Sports Business understandably focuses on the Premiership, but also points out the achievements of the Football League are sometimes overlooked, although there also grounds for concern.
Revenue in the Football League Championship increased by £17m (4%) to £423m, prompted by an increase in the solidarity payments from the Premier League and the promotion of some larger clubs into the division.
The latest annual review of football finance from Deloitte Sports Business understandably focuses on the Premiership, but also points out the achievements of the Football League are sometimes overlooked, although there also grounds for concern.
Revenue in the Football League Championship increased by £17m (4%) to £423m, prompted by an increase in the solidarity payments from the Premier League and the promotion of some larger clubs into the division.
Alan Switzer, Director in the Sports Business Group at Deloitte, commented: “The Football League’s achievement in attracting fans and growing revenues is often overlooked. The Championship is the fourth best attended League in Europe, ahead of the top divisions in Italy and France.
“Whilst Championship revenues have held up well, a wages/revenue ratio of 90%, combined operating losses of £130m and record pre-tax losses of £189m, are a cause for concern. It is therefore encouraging that in April 2012 Championship clubs agreed to the implementation of new financial fair play regulations that aim to help clubs reduce the level of annual losses.”