Man Utd Breaks Finance Records

Manchester United became the first English football club to earn more than £60m from Premier League broadcast income and prize money in a single season.

United, who were crowned Barclays Premier League champions at the weekend, earned £60.4m this season – largely thanks to a series of lucrative new overseas television deals brokered by the league.

The deals boosted the earnings of Premier League clubs significantly this season with relegated Blackpool, the lowest earners this year, still generating £39.1m in TV and prize money.

Richard Scudamore, chief executive of the Premier League, said: ‘We believe that our income distribution mechanism, the most equitable of Europe’s major football leagues, rewards sporting success while also guaranteeing a significant amount to each club in order that they can plan from one season to the next’.

‘Many have commented on the competitive nature of this season’s Barclays Premier League. The clubs deserve huge credit for putting on a fantastic competition. We believe the way we distribute broadcast income plays a part in allowing each club to compete at the highest level’.

For the 2010/11 season each Premiership club received £13.8m as the equal share of domestic TV rights and £17.9m as the equal share of overseas broadcast rights.

In addition, every place in the Premier League table is worth £756,000 with number one team Manchester United earning the maximum £15.1m.

Facility fees of £582,000 are also paid every time a club plays in a game that is televised live – either Sky Sports or ESPN – the UK’s live broadcast rights-holders for the Premier League.

Clubs will receive a minimum income of £5.82m for facility fees regardless of whether or not they are involved in ten live games.