Chelsea has become the “first club from the Premier League to sign up to the living wage,” according to the BBC. The commitment means that all staff employed by the football club will receive at least £9.15 ($14.37) an hour if working in London and £7.85 ($12.33) an hour outside the capital. League Two club Luton Town has also “recently signed up to the code.” The voluntary wage, set by the Living Wage Foundation, is based on the amount needed to cover basic living. The higher living wage levels “compare to the minimum wage” of £6.50 ($10.21) an hour. Chelsea Chair Bruce Buck said, "We believe the move to the living wage underlines our commitment to ensuring that all our employees receive a fair rate of pay for their hard work and dedication. Quite simply, it is the right thing to do." Chelsea said it would ensure the living wage was also paid for staff working for external contractors, at its Cobham training ground and other club operations by July ‘17. London Mayor Boris Johnson said Chelsea was "setting the right example" with the move. According to a review of football finances this year by Deloitte, Premier League clubs paid a total of £1.78B in wages during the ‘12-13 season (BBC, 12/11).
