Rankings of Premier League clubs with the most debt as of 2022
Why do football clubs borrow money? In this article, we will look at which football club has the highest debt? So, dig in and let us discover why the clubs are in debt and the top 10 Premier League clubs with the most debt.
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Football is one of the most lucrative sports globally. Are Premier League teams in debt? Let's explore the financial world of Premier League clubs with the most debt in 2022.
Which Premier League club has the most debt?
The financial value of the 20 soccer teams in the Premier League is worth over $25 billion. However, the suspension of matches due to the Covid - 19 pandemic left several football clubs in financial trouble in 2020. The cumulative Premier League clubs' debt by the end of 2020 was estimated at $5.25 billion.
So, which football clubs are in financial trouble in 2021/2022? Here, we have listed the top 10 Premier League teams with the most debt as reported by Deloitte UK.
10. West Ham United F.C - $117 million
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In at number ten, we find West Ham United. The club was one of the two largest revenue losers last season, linked to the Covid 19 pandemic. The club declared a net debt of $117 million in 2021.
9. Watford F.C - $139 million
The Hornets are also among the top English football clubs in financial trouble in 2021. Despite a loss in revenue and relegation, the club maintained the players and staff wages during the Covid Pandemic. In a statement, the club officials confirmed the efforts put in place to ensure there were no fire sales of players because of the financial situation.
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8. Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C - $140 million
According to the Deloitte Annual Review of Football Finance, the club reached a net debt of $140 million after the 20/21 season. The club's official financial statements further revealed the losses in revenue. However, unlike most clubs, the Wolves continued to invest in players by signing Raul Jimenez, Leander Dendoncker, Pedro Neto and Patrick Cutrone.
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7. AFC Bournemouth - $145 million
In addition to operating in the red, the club suffered a 27% revenue loss during the Covid 19 pandemic. The club was also relegated to the English Football League after finishing in 18th place during the 2020/2021 season.
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6. Leicester City F.C - $201 million
According to a financial statement by the Foxes for the 2019/2020 season, the Covid-19 pandemic caused a significant revenue loss for the team. In 2020, the club acquired additional land for the expansion of the Foxes home grounds, King Power Stadium. Despite help from the club's owners, the Srivaddhanaprabha family, the club debt increased to $201 million in the 2021 season.
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5. Liverpool F.C - $208 million
How much are LFC in debt? Liverpool is the fifth Premier League club with the most debt in 2022, with a net debt of $208 million. Despite losing $48 million from ticket, commercial and broadcast revenue during the pandemic, the club made a grand show of loyalty to the local community. First, the Anfield stadium was used as a Covid-19 testing centre and later as a vaccination centre.
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4. Brighton & Hove Albion F.C - $340
In 2018, the club had the second-largest debt among all English football clubs of about $203 million. The Price of Football website revealed that Tony Bloom, the club's owner and benefactor has been financing developments and player signings. While other clubs were forced to lay off staff and reduce wages, the club maintained and increased players' salaries during the pandemic.
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3. Manchester United F.C - $ 561 million
Since last year, the club's debt has reduced to its current value of $561 million by $79 million. Manchester United ranks highly among the top 50 football revenue earners globally and the world's wealthiest football teams. The club recorded a 92.1% loss in broadcast revenue due to the Covid - 19 pandemic.
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2. Tottenham Hotspurs - $838 million
Tottenham's debt has been growing since 2019 when its net debt was $596 million. So, is Tottenham in financial trouble?
Currently, the club's debts stand at $838 million with an estimated rise of $108 million by the end of the 2021 financial year. The club's rising debts are linked to the construction of the state of the art Tottenham Stadium, wages and operation costs.
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1. Chelsea F.C - $1.8 billion
Which club has the highest debt? Listed as one of the world's most valuable football clubs, Chelsea also has the title of the Premier League clubs with the most debt in 2022. In a statement, the club's chairman, Bruce Buck, acknowledged the financial performance urging that,
'The strength, stability and long-term approach of our financial operation mean our revenue streams remain strong. However, COVID-19 will continue to have an impact going into the next financial year as our commercial operations resume normal activities.’
According to Forbes, the Premier League team with the biggest debt owes almost all of its debt to its owner, Roman Abramovich. However, the recent Russian invasion of Ukraine casts some serious doubt on Chelsea's future as its owner faces a possible ban from the club or sanctions.
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Why are football clubs in debt?
Are there football clubs with no debt? Given the level of expenditure of football teams, it may be difficult for a club to operate successfully without financial help. According to the Price of Football, club expenditures include operation costs, taxes, staff and players' wages, player transfers, stadia and training facilities construction and renovation.
Premier League clubs debt table 2022
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The top 10 Premier League clubs with the most debt are also ranked highly globally in terms of net worth and football performance. Despite incurring significant losses because of the pandemic, the clubs' sense of community was evident by providing food distribution centres, mass vaccination and testing centres for locals during the pandemic.
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