Failure to go up will cost Owls £6m

Sheffield Wednesday owner Milan Mandaric reckons that if the Owls are not promoted from League 1 this season it will cost him £6m to £7m.   He thinks that there would be a loss of £3m to £4m in gate receipts and another £3m in lost television and other revenues.   Indeed with the Owls hitting bad form and currently 16th in the table, there is even a risk of relegation to League 2.

In recent years the Championship has moved towards being a de facto Premiership 2 with higher television revenues and a widening financial gap with League 1.   However, a number of former Premiership sides remain in League 1 including Charlton Athletic and Southampton although the Saints are hopeful of promotion this season.