Red Bull has acquired a minority stake in Leeds United and will be their front-of-shirt sponsor starting next season. The global soft drink company has expanded its extensive portfolio of football clubs by investing in the EFL (English Football League) Championship team. This move brings Red Bull alongside the existing owner, 49ers Enterprises, the investment branch of the National Football League (NFL)’s San Francisco 49ers. This investment will be crucial to ensure that Leeds complies with the EFL or The Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules (PSR). Although Leeds are not in immediate danger of failing PSR this season, the club will need to maintain spending in the upcoming seasons to secure promotion. Red Bull will replace smart home systems provider BOXT as Leeds United's front-of-shirt sponsor. The new agreement sees a heavy increase in the value of the current contract for the main shirt sponsor. Leeds chairman Paraag Marathe said: "I am thrilled that Red Bull is joining us to build a bright future for Leeds United and shares our deep respect for this truly special club. As chairman, our consortium of investment partners will be invaluable to me as we approach this important moment for the club, now and into the future." Red Bull's chief executive of corporate projects and investments Oliver Mintzlaff said: “We are delighted to be an important element and partner of Leeds United. A club that is certainly one of the biggest in England and has a rich and successful history. The ambition to bring Leeds United back to the Premier League and establish themselves in the best football league in the world fits very well with Red Bull.” #leeds #leedsunited #lufc #redbull #rb #investment #premierleague #efl #sponsor #sponsorship #stake #investmentgroup #investing

Transfer windows are becoming increasingly bizarre and what was once a clear window (😉) of opportunity is arguably now fraught with danger for managers and owners alike. The business of player recruitment and contract negotiations has become multi-faceted beyond comprehension. Heads of recruitment & data science, managers, owners, agents, lawyers, and two negotiating clubs - not to mention the player themselves and their family - are the minimum involved. That’s 9 people around the table in this complex decision making process 🤯 Psychological studies suggest that 5 to 6 people is the optimal group for decision making. A recent publication from Forbes citing research from Bain suggests that after the 7th person, the effectiveness of the decision making process is reduced by 10% for each additional member added to the group. There was once a day when a scout would come back from his travels and say “I’ve found a player, let’s get on with it”. 🤷🏻♂️ That very conversation now leads to months, if not years, of further due diligence and often to no avail. Well documented are Manchester United’s failures to take a certain Erling Haaland when no one else was at the table and a young Jude Bellingham long before he burst into Birmingham City FC’s first team. On the other hand, we have Brighton & Hove Albion who have been aggressive over the years, struck early, and improved both performance and revenue impressively over recent years with strong Premier League campaigns and even more impressive sell ons such as Cucurella, Bissouma, Trossard, Caicedo, McAllister, and more.💰 What are these two clubs, Brighton and Manchester United, doing so differently?🤔 There was once a time when Stan Ternent, a long time friend of MP Coaching staff, went on his travels for a week or so and came back for his cup of tea and obligatory waffle and philosophical ramble with Steve Bruce and said “I’ve found you three” after being tasked with looking for defenders. Virgil Van Dijk (Celtic), Harry Maguire (Sheff Utd) and Andrew Robertson (Dundee Utd) were the scrawl on his notepad. They moved ultimately from those clubs for a respective £13m, £2.5m, and £2.5m Less decision making, less data, greater performance and sustainability…. Could the old be the new, new? 😉🤔 As the summer of madness settles down with the main victors being those in the finance facilitation industry and, of course, our good friends the agents (most likely sat on a beach somewhere 🏖️), are there still bargains out there? Here’s a list of free agents courtesy of the BBC: https://t.co/T4CQTHmDIX We think the data, coupled with the fact he’s a rarity in that he’s two-footed and a prolific goalscorer suggests Robert Skov is worth more than a second look 👀 Who’s your pick for a bargain basement free agent signing? ✍️ #MUFC #BHAFC #BCFC #TransferWindow #DeadlineDay #Data #DataScience #Psychology #Haaland #Bellingham #SteveBruce #FreeAgents #Football #Recruitment

⚽️ Morning Snapshot 👔 Chelsea Football Club executives, Chris Jurasek and Jason Gannon, have been entrusted with overseeing the club's £2 billion redevelopment project for Stamford Bridge. 👔 Manchester United are looking to appoint a Chief Business Officer who will report directly to their incoming Chief Executive, Omar Berrada. 💰 Sport Lisboa e Benfica have initiated a new bond issue valued at €35 million, set to mature by 2027. 💰 FC Barcelona intends to raise €100 million by selling VIP boxes at the revamped Camp Nou. 💰 Motherwell Football Club have announced that discussions with a US-based family about investment have progressed to a stage where both parties are keen to advance to the next phase, leading to a non-binding Heads of Terms agreement. 🤝 Wolves have extended their partnership with current hospitality providers Levy to become the club's new retail partners. 🤝 Valencia CF have introduced The Bridge SC, an academy based in Jordan, as its new technical partner. #Partnership #Broadcasting #SportsBusiness #Commercial #Sponsorship #Football #SportsBiz #Finance #People #Data #Tech #Intelligence #Investment

📉 The Delicate Balance of Football Club Ownership: Insights from Chelsea FC’s Ownership Dynamic. In recent research, I uncovered interesting insights into the dynamics between Chelsea FC’s majority owners, Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali. Since their takeover, tensions have reportedly risen due to differences in key decisions—particularly around spending, strategy, and managerial changes. Chelsea has spent over €1.3 billion on new signings since 2022, with Boehly driving a bold, hands-on approach to recruitment (Sky Sports)(Soccer Transfer ETV). Meanwhile, Eghbali has focused on financial prudence, ensuring compliance with UEFA Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules (Sky Sports). These growing differences likely influenced the decision to part ways with Mauricio Pochettino. With Chelsea finishing 12th and 6th in the last two Premier League seasons and struggling to return to the top four, it’s clear that balancing short-term ambitions and long-term stability is essential. As professionals in the sports business, we see how critical aligned objectives are to success, both on and off the pitch. #SportsBusiness #FootballManagement #Leadership #ChelseaFC #FootballOwnership #TeamBuilding #FinancialStrategy #ClubManagement Image: Pixabay

Football Benchmark analysed the financial evolution of Manchester United in the post-Ferguson era in four selected areas - revenue, stadium, return on investment into the squad, and player valuation - over a period of fluctuating sporting performance. 📊 In the 2012/13 season, Manchester United were the third highest club by operating revenue (GBP 363m), behind Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona. Fast forward to 2022/23, the Red Devils reached operating #revenues of GBP 650m, but were overtaken by local rivals Manchester City FC. 💰 The post-Ferguson era has seen substantial investment in the playing squad. Since 2012/13, staff #costs grew by 80% and amortisation of players' registrations was over 300%, as a consequence of the long-lasting impact of the high transfer fees paid. However, the high-profile players signed were not able to restore the club's competitive edge. 💡 In terms of player #valuation among the players bought since 2019, only Bruno Fernandes (+42%) and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (+30%) saw an increase in their market values two years after the transfer. As the focus remains on achieving a sustainable balance between sporting success and financial stability, will the arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe unlock the potential of the club?

🔍 Our latest analysis explores the financial evolution of Manchester United in the post-Ferguson era from four perspectives - revenue, stadium, return on investment into the squad, and player valuation - over a period of fluctuating sporting performance. Here are the key insights: 🔝 In the 2012/13 season, Manchester United had the third highest operating #revenue among all clubs (GBP 363m), lagging only behind Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona. 📈 After the unprecedented financial #growth experienced by clubs at the top of the football pyramid during the following decade, the Red Devils reached operating revenues of GBP 650m in 2022/23, but were overtaken by local rivals Manchester City FC. 📊 In terms of stadium and matchday income, United's RevPEPAS (Revenue Per Event Per Available Seat) grew by only 10% between 2012/13 and 2022/23, being outpaced by several English clubs. 💸 Looking at staff costs, the club experienced significant #investment in the playing squad in the post-Ferguson era. Staff costs saw an upward trend during the analysed period, but the high-profile players signed were not able restore the club's competitive edge. ▶ While staff costs grew by 80% since 2012/13, the increase in amortisation of players' registrations was over 300%, as a consequence of the long-lasting impact of the high transfer fees paid. 💡 On the player valuation side, only two players bought since 2019 saw an increase in their market values after two years - Bruno Fernandes (+42%) and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (+30%). The arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, owner of the INEOS conglomerate who purchased a 25% stake in the club from the Glazer family and took charge of the football operations at the club, offers hope; it will be interesting to monitor whether they can unlock the potential of the club as the focus remains on achieving a sustainable balance between sporting success and financial stability. 🔗 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dz9FmRcm #football #manchesterunited #premierleague #footballfinance

Football in England is not merely a sport; it's a cultural phenomenon that unites millions of fans, igniting passion and fervor on match days. Beyond the pitch, there's another battleground where clubs strive for supremacy—the financial arena. In this article, we delve into the balance sheets and revenue streams to unveil the  The Top 10 Richest Football Clubs in England:

So as many of you will know I am a big Arsenal F.C fan and like most Arsenal fans we have had to deal with a fair amount of stick from Manchester United fans over the years (except the last ten). It’s obvious Arsenal over the last two/three seasons have become a phenomenal force and Man United are clearly a club in decline but their fans always argue that their manager has won more trophies than ours. And they are right (he’s won two, ours has won one). But it got me thinking about how we measure success and how we define success. Is sport just about trophies and medals? Is business just about profits? I actually think sport and business has moved on a bit and here’s why. Manchester City have been the dominant force in English football for the last five years yet they never sell out their stadium. Do I tune in to watch them play? Not really. I prefer to watch Brighton and Villa and Brentford. Have my team won anything meaningful in the last couple of years? No. Do I love watching Arsenal play at every given opportunity? Do I get excited for every single game? Do I admire the togetherness, the passion, the energy, the spirit, the leadership for the captain and the manager? Absolutely!!! Would I be happy for my team to play badly, be disconnected from each other, managers showing no direction, no leadership, but get a trophy every season? Absolutely not. When you love your football team you see yourself in them and I try to compare our business with my beloved Arsenal. Are we the biggest accountancy practice? No. Have we lots of awards? No. Are we all ex pWC and KPMG? No. But do I wake up everyday excited to see my team? YES! Do I enjoy the impact we have on our clients and improving their lives and their businesses. Yes. Do I get incredible joy and a sense of achievement by watching my team develop and flourish? 100% It’s the journey that we are on and happiness that we bring and create for the people that we share the journey with. That’s what matters. Don’t get me wrong, I do hope Arsenal win the league, but will it mean as much to me next season? So what’s more important, the journey or the destination? Let me know in the comments below.

MUST READ: Australian clubs begin second phase of selection process for National Second Tier: 24 clubs will participate in the Request for Proposal (RFP) phase of the National Second Tier (NST) selection process, as Football Australia edges closer to an official start date for the competition. Only two or four clubs will join the eight foundation clubs for the inaugural competition, which is planned to start in March/April 2025. Within their submission, clubs will need to demonstrate their operational and commercial readiness, alignment with strategic objectives, and a commitment to developing talent and engaging communities. To assess clubs’ financial readiness, Football Australia has again sought the services of Australian financial services firm, BDO, to deliver analysis that will be crucial to the sustainability of the NST and its member clubs. Clubs must submit their RFP by mid-April for assessment. The ‘Completion Phase’, where potential clubs will learn their fate, has been set for June 2024. Speaking via press release, Football Australia CEO James Johnson believes the refined second phase represents a great opportunity for Australian football clubs. "The RFP phase is a cornerstone in our journey towards a more dynamic and competitive National Second Tier as we look for clubs which will elevate the game, contribute to their communities, and embody the spirit of inclusivity and excellence," Johnson said. Football Australia is yet to decide on the format for the inaugural competition, which will be affected by whether it chooses two or four teams from the RFP phase. The two proposed formats are: * A 10-team competition with two rounds plus a Finals Series, totalling 18 regular season matches. * A 12-team competition with two rounds plus a Finals Series, totalling 22 regular season matches. Last November, eight clubs from New South Wales and Victoria were successful in the first phase of the NST selection phase. These clubs include: New South Wales * APIA Leichhardt FC * Marconi Stallions FC * Sydney Olympic FC * Sydney United 58 FC * Wollongong Wolves FC Victoria * Avondale FC * Preston Lions FC * South Melbourne FC Clubs from states outside New South Wales and Victoria will be hopeful of their inclusion to make the second tier truly national, but as CEO Johnson eludes, the selection process will not be sentimental. "Our goal is clear: to identify clubs that align with our strategic objectives and are ready to rise to the occasion. The clubs that join us in this journey will play a crucial role in enriching the tapestry of Australian football," Johnson added via media release. The NST represents an exciting opportunity for Australian football to evolve on an unprecedented scale. Football fans should be reassured by Football Australia’s commitment to delivering a careful and considered selection… #Football #Soccer #FootballNews

Manchester City Football Club were never title contenders. In fact, they were underdogs. Until His Highness, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, bought the club in 2008 for $270M. A time where the club had won no Premier League titles. Sheikh Mansour had one mission - invest in quality. He invested in the best players & the Etihad Stadium, as well as built the Manchester City Football Academy. And the club won their first title, in 2011, followed by seasons of good football. Until they allegedly breached league rules over 100 times between 2009 - 18, incorrectly reporting salary figures, sponsorship revenue, operating costs etc & paid a fine worth almost $10M. But that didn’t make a difference for what followed. In 2019, Sheikh Mansour sold 10% of the club to Private Equity firm, Silver Lake, for a whopping $500M. That’s 10% for over 2x what the Sheik bought the ENTIRE club for in 2008. And today, the club are the most dominant force to be reckoned with in the world of football. 8 Premier League titles (having just won their 4th consecutive) as well as 1 Champions League and a Netflix documentary. Oh, and they’re now worth over 5 billion dollars. Now that’s a masterclass in building a business ⚽️ #linkedinsport #sportsbiz #sportsbusiness #manchestercity