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Europa League

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Everton's dilemma illustrates a broader problem

Submitted by WG on Sun, 07/04/2013 - 16:42

Everton's 2-2 draw at White Hart Lane is a creditable result and must give them renewed hope as they face a tough end of the season with Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea still to play away from home.

Everton face a dilemma.   Everton manager David Moyes believes that earning a place in next season's Europa League would enhance his side's prospects of keeping their best players and make them a more attractive proposition for potential transfer targets.

Good financial results for Magpies

Submitted by WG on Wed, 27/03/2013 - 15:45

Newcastle United have reported a profit for the second successive year of £1.4m. For most companies of their size, that would be disappointing, but in football it's a good outcome to be in the black. The new Premier League television deal that begins next season should lead to even better financial results.

The wages-to-turnover ratio is over two-thirds and hence well above the recommended 50 per cent level, but it is still much better than at many Barclays Premier League clubs.

BT buys ESPN's sports channels

Submitted by WG on Tue, 26/02/2013 - 09:43

BT is buying ESPN's sports television channels in the UK and Ireland as it steps up its challenge to BSkyB in the pay-tv market.   Last June BT agreed to pay £738m for the rights to 38 Premier League matches including 18 'first picks'.   The move removed ESPN's status as the only rival to Sky and made the US company's withdrawal from the British market more likely.

Bradford could opt out of Europa League

Submitted by WG on Sat, 23/02/2013 - 09:42

Bradford City will consider withdrawing from the Europa League next season should they qualify by beating Swansea City in the Capital One cup final at Wembley tomorrow.

The club is concerned that it lose money by competing.   They think that the cost of staging matches and funding travel would outweigh any income from television and prize money.

Involvement in one Europa League qualifying round tie alone was worth about £77,000 per club last season.   The club also earn additional money from sponsorship of matches and even of away travel.

BT interested in ESPN's football rights

Submitted by WG on Mon, 18/02/2013 - 13:24

BT is in discussions to acquire football rights from sports broadcaster ESPN as the Disney-owned channel explores an exit from the UK.   The rights that are available include matches from the Bundesliga, Europa League and FA Cup.   However, BSkyB is also interested.

Top clubs back Europa League

Submitted by WG on Wed, 06/02/2013 - 15:20

Europe's top clubs have given their support to the current format of Uefa competitions following speculation over the future of the Europa League.   In Novrmber Uefa president Michel Platini created a stir when he said that expanding the Champions League to 64 teams and getting rid of the Europa League was an option.

Understanding financial fair play

Submitted by WG on Wed, 23/01/2013 - 17:55

This is by no means easy as the rules are complex, perhaps deliberately so in order to give Uefa plenty of wriggle room.  As we have said many times, a lot depends on how the rules are enforced and whether they are challenged in the courts.

Sports lawyer Daniel Geey has produced his 'ten top tips' for understanding the rules.   So if you want to know what an acceptable deviation is, and how it is calcjulated, here is your chance.

The future of the Champions League and Europa League

Submitted by WG on Thu, 29/11/2012 - 09:25

The future of the Champions League and Europa League is under discussion by Uefa.   One possibility is the absorption of the Europa League by the Champions League to create a 64-club competition.  Quite how this would work out in practice remains to be seen, but it could involve an eight club group stage but with only one fixture between clubs instead of two as at present.

Chelsea will earn £45m in Champions League TV cash

Submitted by WG on Wed, 25/04/2012 - 17:07

Chelsea can expect to earn a total of £45m in television cash from Uefa for their Champions League campaign this year.   This will increase by £2.8m if they win the trophy.  Clubs can usually double that income from ticket sales, sponsorship and merchandise.   The income is particularly important for Chelsea given their need to comply with financial fair play rules.

Champions League bonanza

Submitted by WG on Tue, 24/08/2010 - 16:53

There is a lot riding financially on whether Spurs can overcome Young Boys tomorrow and reach the group stage of the Champions League.   Although no English team got past the quarter-finals last season the top four clubs (United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool) earned a combined total of €140m in television and prize money from the tournament, well ahead of the €116m received by their Italian rivals and the €105m received by Spanish clubs.  These figures reflect the value of the ITV and Sky bro