WG – Page 59 – Football Economy

United to launch Chinese tv channel

January 8, 2016 by WG

Manchester United will become the first football club to launch a dedicated 24 hour television channel in China next week, as it seeks to keep up with growing Chinese interest in the game. Sina Sports, an online sports platform, will begin broadcasting the club’s MUTV on its website, mobile site and app next Sunday.

Recent turbulence on the Chinese stock exchange and a fall in the country’s interest has not dampened interest in the potential of the Chinese market for football.

Relegation would hit Dundee United hard

January 7, 2016 by WG

Relegation from the Scottish Premier League would hit Dundee United hard, chairman Stephen Thompson has warned. His family would not go on ploughing in money into the club in the long term.

The club has the 3rd biggest wage bill in the Premier League and has spent £650,000 on transfer fees in the last 18 months which is, of course, a small sum by the standards of the English Premier League. Thompson blames their present plight on poor player recruitment last summer.

Staying up is crucial for Swansea

January 5, 2016 by WG

The author of the Swiss Ramble blog takes his customary in depth and meticulous look at Swansea City’s finances in his latest post. In many ways, the Swans have been seen as a model of the way in which a ‘smaller’ club can succeed.

Sponsors tell United to be less boring

January 5, 2016 by WG

In a rather unusual intervention the chief executive officer of major Manchester United sponsors adidas has said that he wants to see the team playing more attractive football. The kit sponsor signed a record £750m ten year deal with the club last year.

Pope’s team is coming home

January 4, 2016 by WG

The football team supported by Pope Francis, CA San Lorenzo de Almagro, is to have a new stadium built on the one it was evicted from 36 years ago. The picture above shows him displaying their traditional red and blue colours.

Foreign rights bonanza for Premiership

January 3, 2016 by WG

Almost all the major deals for Premier League television deals are now done and the total looks like being around £3.2bn over three years. This represents a 50 per cent increase on the corresponding figure for 2013-16. When the Premier League started in 1992-3 the rights were worth £8m a year.

American investors steam in to English Football

January 3, 2016 by WG

Hard nosed American investors are replacing the oligarchs and egoists who have invested in English football over the last twenty years. If the deal at Everton goes ahead, eight of the twenty Premier League clubs will have investors from the US.

Gate money declines in importance

January 2, 2016 by WG

Gate money was once a strong determinant of finishing position, but although they are well supported, Aston Villa, Sunderland and Newcastle United are all in danger of relegation. Bournemouth, whose attendances are limited by stadium capacity, could well survive.

Untold riches

January 2, 2016 by WG

A reminder of just how much money is available in the Barclays Premier League next season and what is at stake for clubs who are relegated.

Clubs will receive an average of £120m compared with £80m this season. The top club will receive £150m and even the bottom club will be paid £100m. This is, of course, before revenue streams from ticket sales, sponsorship and merchandise.

Transfer window likely to be busy

December 31, 2015 by WG

The January transfer window is forecast to be busy with Arsenal among the clubs likely to be active as they make a bid for the title. The record for spending in January could well be broken.

It is often argued that it is difficult to find value in the January transfer window, but it can be there if you know where to look for it.