Deloitte releases list of top 10 richest football clubs in the world
According to Deloitte’s annual revenue list, La Liga table-toppers Real Madrid are No.1 for the 10th straight year. Manchester United climbed back to the second spot while FC Barcelona are no long among the top three richest clubs in the world.
The list indicates that Barcelona have fallen behind clubs such as Bayern Munich and Manchester United in terms of revenue. The Catalans have recorded revenue of only 2 million this year. Incidently, this is the smallest gain amongst the top 10 clubs.
Commercial revenue has also fallen by 2%, despite the acquisition of high profile striker, Neymar. The slump has coincided with turmoil within the club, which has seen them adhere to a transfer ban till January 2016.
Austin Houlihan, Senior Manager at Deloitte Sports told goal.com that the drop was relative to their recent lack of success. He said, “Barcelona is an interesting one insomuch as their revenue growth, when comparing 2013-14 to the previous year, isn’t as great as some of the other clubs around them.”
He added, “But really that is a consequence of the previous couple of years prior to the period we’re talking about being unprecedented in terms of on-pitch success.”
Real Madrid recorded a revenue growth of 6 %. However, the highest risers in the top 10 were Manchester United, who recorded a 24 % increase While Madrid are set to be crowned the richest club for the 11th straight time as well, considering their on-pitch prowess, Houlihan thinks the streak could almost be over.
He said, “I think it’s true that clubs will naturally close the gap over time. Real Madrid have been top of the Money League for the past 10 years, which is hugely impressive, but will clubs catch up? I think yes.”
Houlihan added, “The Manchester United situation is particularly interesting in that in next year’s Money League, given they haven’t got Champions League football this year, we expect them to drop – they may not even make the top five.”
Paris St-Germain recorded an increase of 19 % to cement their fifth position. A whopping 69 % of their revenue were recorded in commercial receipts.
Amongst the top 50, Italian Serie A side, Napoli recorded highest rise, recording a 50 % increase in revenue to make it into the top 20. Atletico Madrid also jumped five places to 15th.
Here are the top 10 richest clubs from last season
| # | CLUB | REVENUE (€) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Real Madrid | 549.5 |
| 2 | Manchester United | 518 |
| 3 | Bayern Munich | 487.5 |
| 4 | Barcelona | 484.6 |
| 5 | Paris St. Germain | 474.2 |
| 6 | Manchester City | 414.4 |
| 7 | Chelsea | 387.9 |
| 8 | Arsenal | 359.3 |
| 9 | Liverpool | 305.9 |
| 10 | Juventus | 279.4 |