The top clubs in the Premier League have a "significant advantage over their German counterparts," Bayern Munich President Uli Hoeneß has claimed, according to Kit Holden of the London DAILY MAIL. Hoeneß, who was re-elected president after serving time in prison for tax evasion, "suggested this week that the Premier League's lucrative broadcasting rights give English clubs the upper hand." He said, "There is no longer a level playing field in many areas (of the football business). Just look at the income from broadcasting rights in England." The statement comes just days after Bayern announced "another record-breaking financial year." Hoeneß, though, insists that Bayern is still "around €200M ($214M) behind the top English clubs" in terms of TV money. His comments come just a week after the German Football League announced a "new method of distribution for its TV income." The new rules, which favor teams that have "enjoyed long-term success in the Bundesliga, are set to favour Bayern." Yet the Bundesliga's broadcasting deals "remain far less lucrative than those of the Premier League." Hoeneß' comments are "just the latest thing that Bayern are concerned about keeping up with Europe's richest clubs" (DAILY MAIL, 12/6).
