Which clubs will come out of this pandemic in the best/worst shape?

johnjoeefc · May 5, 2020

This Is very hypothetical at the moment as there are still so many variables involved. However would be interesting to hear others thoughts on which teams they believe will be in threat of liquidation and why? As well as potentially who may benefit given their current situation.

I would expect that clubs like us and City could be in one of the stronger positions when all this is over as both have owners willing to invest their own to help the club.

I fear for teams like Bournemouth who, if the season is voided will be in massive financial constraints with money already been spent that they expected to come in for TV deals that will be owed back.

4737carlin · May 5, 2020

johnjoeefc said:
This Is very hypothetical at the moment as there are still so many variables involved. However would be interesting to hear others thoughts on which teams they believe will be in threat of liquidation and why? As well as potentially who may benefit given their current situation.

I would expect that clubs like us and City could be in one of the stronger positions when all this is over as both have owners willing to invest their own to help the club.

I fear for teams like Bournemouth who, if the season is voided will be in massive financial constraints with money already been spent that they expected to come in for TV deals that will be owed back.

I think Spurs are going to come out of this pretty bad, losing those NFL games and the revenue that ground can make also on a PL match day is a real blow.

H.H. · May 5, 2020

You ain't wrong John but I think our record profits of our last couple of years will see us through if paying customers are allowed back inside within the next 16 months (by the start of the season after next.)

Homer Jay · May 5, 2020

4737carlin said:
I think Spurs are going to come out of this pretty bad, losing those NFL games and the revenue that ground can make also on a PL match day is a real blow.

worth noting that it’s only 2 NFL fixtures that have been cancelled aswell as a couple of other events. Probably talking about a £5m loss all told which in the grand scheme of things is peanuts.

a season of behind closed doors fixtures is a whole other ball game though.

Yarrgh · May 5, 2020

Worst hit? Leeds and West Brom if they don't get promoted.

Better off? The poor teams that don't have to face relegation.

Other than that, any club that has a generous owner and/or is well run will be fine and could take advantage of the situation.

It may well be a buyer's market come the next transfer window as clubs try and sort out their books. Any team with money might be able to get a very good deal compared to the last few years.

Harryflashman · May 5, 2020

Homer Jay said:
a season of behind closed doors fixtures is a whole other ball game though.

im starting to suspect this might be a real possibility and will impact heavily on a whole lot of clubs

Moomin · May 5, 2020

Homer Jay said:
worth noting that it’s only 2 NFL fixtures that have been cancelled aswell as a couple of other events. Probably talking about a £5m loss all told which in the grand scheme of things is peanuts.

a season of behind closed doors fixtures is a whole other ball game though.

Spurs posted a 120 million profit in its last set of accounts. Its Wages to turnover ratio is one of the best in the league at just over 40%. They also have 160 million in its accounts.

While we posted a loss of 110 million and have a wages to turnover ratio of 85% with 10 million in its account.

On top of that we want to finance a 500 million stadium which costs will spiral.

If you think Spurs are going to suffer then whats going to happen to us??

ricer10 · May 5, 2020

Well I’m sure our red neighbours will come out smelling like roses ! Always seems to go their way ....

barneygumble · May 6, 2020

I think you'll see a big gulf in the lower leagues in the coming season or two.

With no turnover etc, how do teams like Accrington compete with a Sunderland etc... They'd already struggle.

It's not something I want to happen, but it will be interesting to see how teams down there cope. Fingers crossed there are no liquidations due to this.

jaycee · May 6, 2020

barneygumble said:
I think you'll see a big gulf in the lower leagues in the coming season or two.

With no turnover etc, how do teams like Accrington compete with a Sunderland etc... They'd already struggle.

It's not something I want to happen, but it will be interesting to see how teams down there cope. Fingers crossed there are no liquidations due to this.

Think a few will fold by the time this is all over,maybe a restructure of the lower leagues like the old North/South divisions

Sweeneytoad · May 6, 2020

barneygumble said:
I think you'll see a big gulf in the lower leagues in the coming season or two.

With no turnover etc, how do teams like Accrington compete with a Sunderland etc... They'd already struggle.

It's not something I want to happen, but it will be interesting to see how teams down there cope. Fingers crossed there are no liquidations due to this.

Sunderland rely heavily on their match day income. They'll be one of the worst affected in all of this.

andym78 · May 6, 2020

jaycee said:
Think a few will fold by the time this is all over,maybe a restructure of the lower leagues like the old North/South divisions

The last time something on this scale happened was when ITV Digital collapsed and 12 clubs went into administration:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.in...oadcast-rights-championship-a8642771.html?amp

At least they haven't got Sky trying to stitch them up this time.

PhilM · May 6, 2020

Sweeneytoad said:
Sunderland rely heavily on their match day income. They'll be one of the worst affected in all of this.

Speaking purely objectively here and not because they're our rivals, I suspect Liverpool (like @catcherintherye has said) amongst others will feel the pinch.

I'm not saying they rely on their large match-day incomes, but the money they generate from gate-receipts, corporate revenue, merchandise and sponsors is hefty.

The more a club makes on match days, the more they have to lose if playing games behind close-doors becomes protracted - potentially a fair few months.

Ultimately, it'll boil down to what percentage of their match day revenue they rely on for core finances (wages and repaying loans etc.), but they will feel it.

It may simply be they can't spend as they had planned to do over the next season two or the worst case scenario (for them!) they will have to offload some assets.

I would suspect that the likes of Manure, Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea will feel it too although some may have large reserve sums (or backers) to cover the cost.

That's obviously PL clubs by the way because I think we all know that the lower leagues are really going to suffer from this because it is a pivotal revenue stream!

COYBL25 · May 6, 2020

andym78 said:
The last time something on this scale happened was when ITV Digital collapsed and 12 clubs went into administration:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/efl-breakaway-itv-digital-sky-sports-broadcast-rights-championship-a8642771.html?amp

At least they haven't got Sky trying to stitch them up this time.

I remember it well.

York City signed Alan Fettis from Blackburn and Lee Nogan from Preston, both on 2k a week, they also had Mitch Ward in midfield at that time too, who must`ve been on similar. The money completely corrupted the lower leagues.

You had players dropping straight out of the Championship into divisions 1 and 2 and staying on similar wages.

League`s one and two were packed with ageing high earners from the leagues above.