'Staggering' £148m EFL deal could see Leeds United bank millions — YEP 5/3/24
Leeds United aren't hoping to be in the EFL for long but could benefit from the new deal.
By Kyle Newbould
Leeds United could be set for a huge windfall of cash
following reports that the EFL have agreed a 'staggering' rise in overseas
broadcasting rights.
Leeds' revenue has been hugely affected by the reduction in
television income that follows relegation from the Premier League to the
Championship. The Whites received around £104million for finishing 19th last
season but this year will do well to get 10 per cent of that.
But the EFL is growing in popularity, particularly in the
United States with a number of high-profile celebrities from across the pond
investing in clubs from the Championship to League Two. And the competition are
hoping to capitalise on that with The Daily Mail reporting they are set to
secure a 40 per cent rise on their international broadcast revenue.
The deal is said to be worth a minimum of £148m over the
next four seasons, with the EFL's 72 member clubs set to vote on the deal today
- it is expected to pass without much resistance. Leeds will obviously hope to
be out of the Championship come May but in the instance they fail to achieve
promotion, an increase in TV revenue should offer some financial comfort.
Leeds have seen their US following increase massively in
recent years, particularly during the three Premier League campaigns in which
they were inextricably linked with the nation. Jesse Marsch's year in charge at
Elland Road will not be fondly remembered, nor will the efforts of Tyler Adams,
Brendan Aaronson and Weston McKennie, but the American quartet undoubtedly
attracted interest from their compatriots.
Likewise, 49ers Enterprises - the investment arm of NFL team
San Francisco 49ers - have been involved with the club since buying a minority
stake in 2018. Their share of the club increased regularly until last summer,
at which point they bought out Andrea Radrizzani entirely.
A number of high-profile US celebrities have put their money
into the club as part of the deal, including professional golfers Jordan Spieth
and Justin Thomas plus 23-time Olympic gold medallist swimmer Michael Phelps.
Though not American, Oscar winner and well-known Whites fan Russell Crowe
confirmed on Monday that he also had invested in the club.
