A KPMG report revealed ManU is the "most valuable football club in Europe," worth about €3B ($3.4B), according to Bill Wilson of the BBC. The Europa League winner tops KPMG's analysis of top sides' "enterprise value," putting it ahead of Spanish clubs Real Madrid and Barcelona. The study analyzed broadcasting rights, profitability, popularity, sporting potential and stadium ownership. In the study of 32 teams, English clubs "dominate," filling six top 10 places. Andrea Sartori, KPMG's global head of sports and the report's author, said that the "overall value of the football industry had grown over the past year." He said, "While this is partially explained by football's broadcasting boom, the internationalization of the clubs' commercial operations, their investment into privately-owned and modern facilities, and overall more sustainable management practices, are also key reasons for this growth" (
BBC, 5/31). In London, Murad Ahmed reported the combined worth of European football’s leading clubs grew by about €3B over the past year, "as the continent’s biggest teams were boosted by the escalating value of broadcasting deals." The combined enterprise value of Europe's 32 richest sides was close to €30B in '16, a rise of 14% on the previous year. The "strength" of English teams in the rankings comes even though the data did not include a new £5.1B ($6.6B), three-year domestic broadcasting deal with Sky and BT, an increase of £600M ($773M) compared with the previous contract. This deal, along with the estimated £3B ($3.8B) in overseas rights deals to screen Premier League matches, "meant that the finances of English teams have become less reliant on performances in European competitions than their continental rivals" (
FINANCIAL TIMES, 5/30). The PA's Matt Slater reported despite two "relatively disappointing" seasons on the pitch between '14 and '16, ManU became the first club to break the €3B mark for enterprise value. Bayern Munich remains in fourth place, while Man City edged past Arsenal to take fifth, both with enterprise values of just under £1.7B ($2.2B). Chelsea, Liverpool, Juventus and Tottenham filled the next four positions (
PA, 5/30).
IN FRANCE: LE PARISIEN reported KPMG revealed that Paris St. Germain is worth €998M ($1.12B). It is a "very appreciable estimation" for a club that was bought in '11 for €100M by Qatari investment fund QSI. While having "one of the best-stocked portfolios on the continent, it is still only ranked 11th." PSG can "console itself with the increase of its value," which rose 18% on last year, "despite declining sporting results." The only other French club to crack the top 25 was Olympique Lyonnais which ranked 24th, valued at €317M ($356M) (LE PARISIEN, 5/31).
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| Source: London Daily Mail |
