26 June 2024 - 12:02 PM
Photo
IMAGO | Paris Saint-Germain players are celebrating after winning the French Cup Final between Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique Lyonnais on May 25th, 2024
Analysis: Football’s income surge offset by rapid wage inflation
- Analysis by Off The Pitch finds that 99 per cent of the income growth enjoyed by clubs in Europe’s ‘big five’ leagues since 2019 has been consumed by increased wage bills.
- In all five leagues, proportional wage growth has outstripped income growth, with clubs outside the elite worst affected.
- Why it matters: As private equity funds increase their presence in football and seek returns, reining in the sports biggest cost – player wages – will take on increased importance.
- The perspective: Of 113 clubs to have spent at least two of the last five seasons in the top tier, 69 saw their wages to income ratio worsen, an indication of why so many clubs struggle to achieve profitability.
When Karl Marx bemoaned workers not owning the fruits of their labour, it is unlikely he had football in mind as the field that would buck the trend. Yet over a century and a half on from Marx’s writings, it is difficult to think of another industry where the worker has so thoroughly enjoyed the benefits of their profession’s growth.
Off The Pitch has analysed the finances of
Get instant access by signing up for a 7-day free trial
No credit card, no commitments, and it will expire automatically.
You will receive a link that activates your trial in an email.