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Leicester City's "title miracle" has put the club on course to be "one of the richest 15 football clubs in the world next season, leapfrogging some of the game's most stellar names -- AC Milan included," according to Nick Harris of the London DAILY MAIL. Leicester was No. 24 on the world's rich list for '14-15 with income of £104M ($150M). For the current campaign analysis shows it will "climb into the top 20 with income" of about £125M ($180M). But next season Leicester "will reap the rewards of the Premier League's massively increased TV deals and the Champions League." Even with a top-eight finish next term and group-stage elimination in Europe, its "income should surge" to £210M ($303M). Back-to-back "wonder-seasons with a top-four finish and progress" to the Champions League knockout stages could take that to £260M ($375M). To put this into context, Milan had income of "only" £151.5M ($219M) last season to be the world's 14th richest club and "will make not much more this season and perhaps a little more next season." The Premier League's "worldwide popularity" also means Leicester is "already vying to be among the biggest 10 most-watched teams in any sport after the attention this season has brought them." From one of the "least-watched Premier League teams last season to the sixth-best watched this season," Leicester is closing on the league's five "global brand" teams -- ManU, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Man City (
DAILY MAIL, 5/7).
TROPHY PARTY: The BBC reported Leicester City "lifted the Premier League trophy in front of jubilant fans after a 3-1 win against Everton" at its King Power Stadium home. Opera star Andrea Bocelli "sang before the game on a day of celebrations." Bocelli "set the tone with pre-match renditions of Nessun Dorma and Time to Say Goodbye, honouring a recent promise to his countryman Ranieri." Foxes' fan Steve Worthy, 39, of Wigston, "had the honour of handing the trophy to captain Wes Morgan at the end of the game." He "won a competition organised by league sponsors Barclays" (BBC, 5/7).
