The Deloitte Football Money League 2021

Earlier this year, Deloitte released the 24th edition of the Deloitte Football Money League (‘DFML’), which “profiles the financial performance of the highest revenue generating clubs in world football during the disrupted 2019/20 season.”

They add: “Published just six months after the end of the disrupted 2019/20 season, the Money League is the most contemporary and reliable independent analysis of the clubs’ relative financial performance. Key findings included:

The top 20 clubs generated a combined €8.2 billion in 2019/20, down 12% on the prior season (€9.3 billion). This €1.1 billion decrease is explained by:

  • a €937m (23%) drop in broadcast revenue, primarily due to the deferral of broadcast revenues to the financial year ending in 2020 and broadcaster rebates related to the disrupted 2019/20 season;
  • a €257m (17%) fall in matchday revenue as matches were first postponed and then either cancelled or resumed behind closed doors; and
  • offset by a by an €82m (2%) increase in commercial revenue, reflecting the commencement of several major commercial arrangements across Money League clubs in 2019/20.”

To see the full report, click here.

The World’s Highest-Earning Soccer Clubs

Source: Statista

Soccer has long been big business and Deloitte has analyzed the clubs bringing in the most revenue in the latest edition of its Football Money League. Barcelona generated more money than any other European club for the first time in the 2018-19 season for the very first time, bringing in €840.8 million. Real Madrid had the second-highest revenue with €757.3 million while Manchester United came third with €711.5 million.

Despite making the top-three, the Red Devils are suffering the financial repercussions of failing to qualify for the Champions League and that is denting revenue. Deloitte said that Manchester United are likely to fall to their lowest ever Money League position in next year’s edition. That could also put the club at risk of losing its position as the Premier League’s highest revenue generating club for the first time.