Leeds United have featured inside the top 20 of Deloitte’s 2023 Football Money League for the first time since the 2022/03 season. The Whites sit 18th in the list, which is dominated by Premier League clubs, having generated a revenue of £189m last year.
That’s an increase of £20m from the previous year’s total and it’s enough to see them recognised as one of the most successful teams in the world in terms of revenue. Of course, a huge chunk of that money comes from broadcast rights, 61 per cent in fact, but Leeds have also seen a big rise in commercial revenue over the last year.
The Whites brought in £33m through commercial avenues over 2021, but last year’s figures were increased to £51.7m, making up more than a quarter of the club’s overall income. As a result, Leeds rank higher than plenty of other Premier League teams in the Football Money League, with Aston Villa, Everton, Newcastle United, Brighton, Wolves and Southampton amongst those trailing in their wake.
Read more: Jesse Marsch provides Leeds United injury update on Wober, Cooper, Struijk and Koch
The 20 highest revenue generating clubs in world football earned a combined £8.1bn in the 2021/22 season, according to the 26th edition of the Football Money League published by Deloitte’s Sports Business Group. The year-on-year increase of 13% comes as matchday spending rebounded, rising from £98m to £1.2bn, following the return of fans to stadiums as COVID-19 restrictions were lifted.
Commercial revenues rose by 8% this year (from £3.1bn to £3.3bn) but broadcast revenue dropped 11% (£427m) following a high comparative 2020/21 season, which benefited from deferrals of broadcast revenue relating to postponed 2019/20 matches.
Manchester City retained first place with a revenue of £619m, beating Real Madrid (£605m), Liverpool (£594m), Manchester United (£583m) and Paris Saint-Germain (£554m) to form the top five.
Of the Premier League’s ‘big six’ clubs, five reported revenue increases of 15% or more (a total increase of £199m), due largely to new commercial partnerships and non-matchday events such as concerts and stadium tours returned. Tim Bridge, lead partner in Deloitte’s Sports Business Group, said: “For the first time, Premier League clubs fill the lion’s share of positions in Deloitte’s Football Money League.
“The question now is whether other leagues can close the gap, likely by driving the value of future international media rights, or if the Premier League will be virtually untouchable, in revenue terms. The Premier League was the only one of the big five European leagues to experience an increase in its media rights value during its most recent rights sale process.
“It continues to appeal to millions of global followers and its member clubs have a greater revenue advantage over international rivals. Commercial partner, fan and investor interest in the Premier League appears higher than ever before.
“While this suggests optimism for further growth, continued calls for greater distribution of the financial wealth of English clubs across the football system and the impact of a cost-of-living crisis makes it all the more important for the game’s stakeholders to keep a clear focus on their responsibility as stewards of leading clubs.”
READ NEXT:
Four big Leeds United winners against Cardiff as Whites seal FA Cup berth in style
Every word Jesse Marsch said on Leeds United's Cardiff win, Gnonto, Rutter and Wober injury
Robbie Keane outlines his key Leeds United concern in battle against Premier League drop
Jesse Marsch remains tight lipped over Leeds United transfers but is happy with business so far
Leeds United's Michael Skubala on U21s' loan plan, Max Dean and Archie Gray fitness
