Our Madrid Hammer examines the possible benefits to supporters of the new TV deal...
Can the Fans Benefit from Any Spare Cash Left Over From The New TV Rights Deal?
With the recent announcement of the record TV rights deal for the Premier League, it is reported that clubs like our own could result in TV revenue of more than £70m.
A quick look back to the 2013/14 season, figures show that West Ham gained more than £60m in TV revenue alone. Not as much as Barcelona or Real Madrid who saw TV revenue reach a staggering £100m but significantly more than Atletico Madrid on £30m and Inter Milan on £55m.
There are no prizes for guessing where the money goes. The key is to stay in the Premier League so that means improving the squad with better quality players which in turn results in higher agent fees (and with that probably an increase in sales at the Ferrari dealerships!). We also must retain the best talent with improved deals like the ones recently signed by Noble, Tomkins and Reid. Sadly, also, some of the money is probably needed to help us pay off some club debt as well.
The revenue boost will not stop with the domestic TV rights. We will see the addition of international TV rights, new sponsorship deals (thank you Betway) and, of course, record match revenues from when we move to the new stadium.
So will there be any spare cash stored under the club mattress to support the fans? Let’s hope so.
Just imagine if the fans could benefit from a bit of this money? You will have your own ideas but here are a few of mine just to start you off…..
- Our away support is extraordinary, so lets offer free transport for all traveling fans or fund a special fans rail card for discounted travel (even to European games!)
- Reduce the price of tickets especially for families going beyond the kids for a quid initiative (pioneered by the club).
- Provide more support to the international supporter…there are lots of us. How many times have we lost money on flights because the match has been moved for TV?
With all this extra income coming into the club next year, there is no better time for the fans to share their own wish lists with the club. The club does listen to opinions so start sharing your ideas now and who knows what might happen in the future.
Hasta Luego!
MadridHammers
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of West Ham United