Leeds United News understands the club has a significant advantage over certain Premier League rivals, according to Kieran Maguire and Adam Williams.
The Premier League is often seen as a financial promised land for English clubs, bringing access to bumper television deals and huge commercial opportunities.
Leeds United are now looking to make the most of that opportunity after securing promotion from the Championship, as the 49ers launch an ambitious project to renovate Elland Road.
The club’s owners have already significantly invested in Daniel Farke’s squad, with former AC Milan winger Noah Okafor becoming the latest new arrival at Elland Road, as Leeds make the most of the significant increase in revenue that Premier League football brings.
Now, Maguire has explained to Leeds United News why Leeds have a significant advantage over their near rivals as they look to secure their top-flight status.
Kieran Maguire explains Leeds United’s significant advantage over Premier League rivals
With a huge season ticket waiting list and a large and passionate fanbase, Leeds were able to generate significant matchday revenues, even when they were in the second tier.
Leeds United News financial expert Adam Williams spoke to football finance expert Kieran Maguire, who explained that, despite taking the step up to the Premier League, Leeds retain an important advantage in this area. Maguire said: “Leeds have the benefits of significant matchday revenues.
“Commercial income in the Championship was still greater than half of the teams in the Premier League. So they are inoculated from suckling on the teat of the Premier League broadcast deal.
“Some clubs generate 80-90 per cent of their total revenue from the TV deal and are going up against the larger clubs, which are generating perhaps more like half of their money from the TV deal because they are more attractive to sponsors.
“I think Leeds have a good chance of staying up, and I think Sunderland could surprise a few people as well. I think they are taking a more pragmatic approach compared to last time out.
However, despite his optimistic assessment of Leeds’ finances, Maguire still believes they face an uphill battle to remain in the top flight this season.
He continued: “My concern is less that the three promoted clubs have been relegated, and more that they have been more or less relegated by February. It’s that gap that is the worry. The total number of points collected by the bottom three in the last two seasons was 59 and 66. That is absolutely horrendous.
“The issue for Leeds is that, perhaps five years ago, a promoted side could look at the Premier League table and say that three from nine are going to go down. That was the mini-division in the Premier League. Because of the rise of the middle class in the Premier League, you are now in a mini-division which is three from five.”
Leeds still reported a loss in the last financial year
Although Leeds’ matchday revenues work hugely in their favour, they still posted a loss in the last financial year.
According to a report from The Athletic, Leeds reported a pre-tax loss for the 2023/24 season of £60.8 million, which is a significant increase on the 22/23 season. Leeds were relegated from the Premier League that season, with a loss of £33.7 million.
However, this should not be confused with the allowable losses from a Profit and Sustainability perspective, which were eased by the sale of Archie Gray and Georgino Rutter in 2024.
Leeds made a loss despite recording a record Championship revenue of £127.6 million, set against an overall wage bill of £84 million.
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