League Championship side Aston Villa was boosted by almost £41M ($52.3M) in parachute payments from the Premier League last season to increase its overall prize money for the '16-17 campaign to £47.9M ($61M). In figures released by the Premier League, Aston Villa, Norwich City and Newcastle United, which earned promotion back to the EPL, banked £41M. Villa's Championship prize money was "just" £6.9M ($8.8M) last season, with the English Football League "splitting money evenly between its 24 second tier teams" (BIRMINGHAM MAIL, 6/13).
National League side Leyton Orient "overcame one hurdle" at the High Court but it must have its budget approved by the National League before the start of next season. A winding-up petition against the club, relegated from the Football League, was dismissed after Owner Francesco Becchetti "paid off creditors." All 68 clubs in the National League must present their budgets (London EVENING STANDARD, 6/13).
The Int'l Hockey Federation plans to generate $150M in four years from the Hockey Pro League. The six-month, home and away competition "will commence from January." FIH CEO Jason McCracken said, "There is robust marketing strategy in place to achieve the target. We have Star Sports as broadcasting partners in India. The FIH is working to have broadcasters on board from other nations that are competing in the League" (HINDUSTAN TIMES, 6/13).
