Worth Of Champions League Triumph Revealed
Chelsea’s UEFA Champions League earned the London club €59.4 million in revenue, according to figures released by European football’s governing body.
UEFA announced that €754.1 million was distributed to clubs competing in its showpiece competition last season, with the victors securing nearly €20 million more than beaten finalist Bayern Munchen.
Chelsea secured €29.9 million in participation, match and performance bonuses in the group and knockout stages, including the final, as well as €30.04 million from the television market pool.
By contrast, Bayern – who lost on penalties in the final – earned a total of €41.73 million, with €26.9 million in participation, match and performance payments, and €14.83 million from the TV market pool.
The 2011/12 Champions League’s top-five revenue generators also included beaten semi-finalists FC Barcelona (€40.6 million) and Real Madrid (€38.4 million), with quarter-finalists AC Milan gained €39.9 million.
UEFA said in May that Europe’s leading clubs are set to receive a 15% increase in prize money for the next three seasons of the Champions League.
UEFA’s current three-year Champions League broadcast and sponsorship cycle has earned €1.1 billion annually. However, David Taylor, chief executive of the commercial arm of European football’s governing body, UEFA Events, has said increased demand and rising contracts will see combined revenues for the Champions League and Europa League exceed €1.5 billion for the 2012/15 cycle.
