Compared: Leeds United’s wage bill vs Championship rivals as three relegated sides drop down — Leeds All Over 14/7/24

-

Kris Smith

Ex-Leeds United chairman Peter Ridsdale recently hit out at the current disparity between the Premier League and the EFL on finances, using the Whites’ wage bill as proof that change is needed, and it’s still a strong wage bill this season.

Last season in the Championship saw Ipswich Town break the mould of the three relegated sides bouncing straight back to the top flight, but their outlier of a season didn’t take away from the comparative strength of the sides at the top.

Those outside of that group don’t feel like there’s a level playing field in play, even with PSR dictating every club’s move quite strictly.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live earlier in 2024 (via LeedsLive), former Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale wasn’t happy with the fact that there has been no offer on the table for EFL teams from Premier League clubs to see the TV revenue filter into the lower tiers.

Such a disparity between clubs at the top of the pyramid and those who haven’t had that chance, like Ridsdale’s current club Preston, was pointed out as he used Leeds, Leicester, and Southampton’s parachute payments as an example.

He said this:

“All we want is to make sure we have a sustainable and competitive EFL and obviously you see the cliff-edge between the Premier League and the Championship, with the parachute clubs coming down getting something like £50m in the first year and £40m-odd in the second year, having got relegated.

“We’ve got teams at the top of our division paying five times more in wages than (Preston) are, and that’s showing because they’re at the top end of the Championship – and they’re doing that based on parachute payments that are coming down from the Premier League.

“The top three teams are Leicester, Leeds and Ipswich, then Southampton are fourth. Three of those four came down last year and have got parachute payments. If we don’t keep it competitive and sustainable, then English football is finished.”

There’s little argument that can be made against the fact that recently relegated sides have an inherent advantage in their ability to spend more than their rivals that have been in the EFL for years, and that shows in the wage bills.

According to Capology, Leeds still lead the way in wage bills for this season, even though wage cuts following relegation seemingly haven’t been taken fully into account:

Championship 23/24 wage bills 

Club       Annual payroll

1. Leeds United                                 £41,028,000

2. Burnley                                           £35,324,000

3. Sheffield United                          £21,450,000

4. Luton Town                                   £20,015,000

5. Norwich City                                  £17,850,000

6. West Brom                                     £17,230,000

7. Cardiff City                                     £15,132,000

8. Watford                                          £12,086,000

9. Stoke City                                       £10,580,000

10. Middlesbrough                          £10,414,000

11. Bristol City                                   £10,204,000

12. QPR                                                 £10,138,000

13. Swansea City                              £10,000,000

14. Coventry City                              £9,762,000

15. Blackburn Rovers                      £9,222,000

16. Sheffield Wednesday              £8,968,000

17. Preston                                         £8,489,000

18. Hull City                                        £8,774,000

19. Sunderland                                 £8,556,000

20. Millwall                                         £7,492,000

21. Plymouth Argyle                       £6,150,000

22. Derby County                             £5,104,000

23. Portsmouth                                 £4,292,000

24. Oxford United                            £3,537,000

Wage bills subject to change with transfers in and out

Popular posts from this blog

The huge initial fee Leeds are set to receive for Crysencio Summerville’s move to West Ham — Leeds United News 31/7/24

-
Will Butcher West Ham United are closing in on a deal to sign Crysencio Summerville from Leeds United, and Ben Jacobs has shared how much Leeds will receive for the Dutchman. The 22-year-old has been strongly linked with the Elland Road exit door all summer and was targeted as the one big sale Leeds needed to make before the Profit & Sustainability Rules deadline this month. But instead, Leeds sold Archie Gray for £40m to Tottenham. Leeds have since sold five more players in the form of Diego Llorente, Marc Roca, Kris Klaesson and Charlie Cresswell – raking in around £60m in total. But more exits were always likely and Fabrizio Romano reported on Wednesday afternoon that West Ham had agreed personal terms with Summerville, and talks for a fee were ongoing with the Yorkshire side. Now, the story has moved on with multiple sources claiming a deal is done between Leeds and Angus Kinnear’s old club. The Dutchman is expected to sign a five-year at the London Stadium, until Jun
Read more

Jack Clarke stance on Leeds return revealed as Sunderland offer rejected — Football Insider 19/8/24

-
Wayne Veysey Leeds United could re-sign Jack Clarke this month in a sensational move after the forward rejected a new contract at Sunderland, sources have told Football Insider. Leeds are in the market for a proven forward before the transfer window closes after Crysencio Summerville’s exit and Georginio Rutter’s soon-to-be-completed Brighton move. The west Yorkshire giants have registered an interest in the 23-year-old, but Southampton are also keen on signing him. West Ham had been interested in Clarke back in January but have not followed up on that since then. Clarke graduated from Leeds United’s academy and played for the club until 2019 when he signed for Tottenham Hotspur. The forward is under contract at the Stadium Of Light until 2026. Daniel Farke wants to add a proven forward to his squad in this window after losing two of his most creative sources. Clarke is an experienced winger who could be put straight into the starting lineup and does have the knowledge
Read more

Leeds United board break silence after transfer window with statement on upcoming Elland Road development — YEP 2/9/24

-
By Joe Donnohue Leeds United have confirmed supporters' commemorative stones at Elland Road's Centenary Square will be replaced free of charge in a bid to improve their longevity. Beginning next month, Leeds supporters' personalised stones will be replaced with exact replicas, courtesy of a new company, to ensure of a 'much better quality' installation. The work is expected to take around two months to complete. An official club statement confirmed 'three larger stones dedicated to former managers Don Revie, Howard Wilkinson and Marcelo Bielsa' will also be installed, 'similar to those located in Bremner Square', while additional space for supporters to purchase new stones has also been factored into the project. “The club have taken on board recent feedback from supporters on the stones at Centenary Square, and we are really happy that we can now announce that all of the stones will be replaced," chief executive Angus Kinnear confirmed,
Read more