Manchester City has been named the club with the most revenue of any team in the world as finance experts Deloitte have their updated football rich list for 2023.
The Deloitte Football Money League has been running since 1996/97, when Man City‘s worth was just £12.7 million. However, the six-time Premier League winners raked in a whopping £619.1m in the 2021/22 season alone — more than 50 times that amount.
Published on Thursday, the comprehensive football finance report states that City pipped European giants Real Madrid to the top spot, with Los Blancos sitting in second with £604.5m in revenue last season.
Notably, Liverpool also leapfrogged fierce rivals Manchester United to third place, taking in £594.3m to United’s £583.2m. Elsewhere, Qatari-owned PSG are now bringing in more than the likes of Bayern Munich and Barcelona as well, who previously sat in the top five.
11 of the 20 richest football clubs are based in England. The Premier League's so rich that it can get four relegation-threatened clubs into the top 20. (Deloitte Football Money League 2023) pic.twitter.com/V0vDTxoIPL
As you can see, English clubs still dominate world football’s highest earners, with 11 of the country’s top-flight teams named in the top 20.
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One of the most recent additions to the world football rich list is, obviously, Newcastle United following their recent acquisition by Saudi Arabian owners, ranking 20th with £179.8m in overall revenue compared to £140m from the previous year.
Understandably, the list is heavily European-leaning in general, with other names on the list including iconic continental clubs like Juventus, Inter Milan, AC Milan and Athletico Madrid.
As expected, TV broadcasting rights were responsible for the highest proportion of annual revenue, with the top 20 clubs earning an average of £203m over the course of the financial year.
Commercial sales weren’t far behind on £191m and matchday income such as tickets and concessions made up roughly £68 million of overall revenue.
Overall, the Deloitte Football Money League leaders brought in a combined £7.8 billion over the period, an increase of 13% from the 20/21 season as matchday sales recovered following the pandemic.
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If you ever needed a reminder of how ridiculous the money in football truly is, this will do it.
Alex Sanderson summons Rudyard Kipling as Sale Sharks scrape into the semi-finals
Danny Jones
Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson referenced the famous Rudyard Kipling after Sale Sharks managed to book their place in the playoffs of this year’s Gallagher Premiership following a nail-biter of a fixture against Exeter Chiefs.
The Sharks sealed their spot in the semi-finals with a 30-26 win over the Chiefs on Saturday night, with a trio of tries, a singular pen and calmness when it came to conversions proving just enough to make it to full time.
Speaking on the narrow score at Sandy Park, Sanderson himself applauded that same composure during his post-match duties, casually quoting Kipling ahead of the next big game.
Writing on social media after nerves had just about settled, the club simply said: “Apologies for raising the heart rate, Sharks Family… but Saturday we go again.”
Beginning with an expression of that same defiant spirit that has seen them across the line on so many occasions, the 45-year-old told TNT Sports, “We got another Monday in us.”
The Sale Sharks coach went on to add: “So if you can keep your head, when everybody else is losing theirs – I think that’s the old Rudyard Kipling poem – you’re in such a better place on the back of that, knowing what we can fix from the Leicester game and what we can do better from today.”
It’s not every day you hear sportsmen calling up the poetic words of the beloved British-India writer, but it certainly impressed plenty of supporters, though Sanderson has always been popular among fans for his candour and charisma in interviews.
Ultimately, it was Rekeiti Ma’asi-White, Bevan Rodd, Luke Cowan-Dickie and George Ford that the Greater Manchester outfit had to thank for the electrifying finish
You can see how much it meant, clear as day…
Not done yet…
Thank you for your support Sharks Family, it’s truly appreciated!
Sale Sharks will now take on Leicester Tigers (who the local side finished just behind in third place following the result against the Chiefs) in the Premiership semis as they look to get revenge for previous painful meetings
Are you feeling hopeful, Sharks Family?
You can see the full highlights from Sale Sharks’ tense victory over the Exeter Chiefs down below.
Alex Sanderson channelled Rudyard Kipling and Sale scrapped like true Sharks.
Luxury Manchester gym Blok confirms permanent closure after weeks of uncertainty
Daisy Jackson
Blok Manchester has announced its permanent closure, weeks after the doors to the premium fitness facility mysteriously closed.
Around a fortnight ago, members began to arrive to their classes to find the gym on Ducie Street locked up and a forfeiture notice on the door – but at the time, Blok said that it was fighting to reopen.
Sadly, in an email sent to members today, its founder has confirmed that the studio is now permanently closed.
Blok – which has several very successful sites down in London – said that its relationship with its landlord has ‘broken down to a point where trust has been lost’.
The gym wrote that it’s been left with ‘no workable way forward’.
They said: “BLOK Manchester was a space built by our loyal and dedicated community. Whether you joined us for one class or one hundred, we are deeply grateful. You helped create something genuinely special in an incredible city.”
In the immediate future, they said they’ll be supporting the team of fantastic trainers who worked here, as well as looking after members.
Members will be contacted within a few hours with options and refunds owed.
Blok Manchester has announced its permanent closure. Credit: The Manc Group
CEO and founder Ed Stanbury said: “While this marks the end of a chapter, we don’t see it as the end of our story in Manchester. We’re already speaking with developers about potential future sites and remain committed to returning to the city when the time is right.
“Thank you for being part of our story so far. Let’s shape the future of wellness. The mission continues.”
Commenting on Blok’s Instagram post – its first in almost a fortnight – people have been sharing their sadness at the closure of its Manchester site.
One person wrote: “beautiful space, beautiful staff and beautiful community.”
Another said: “Sending love to all the instructors !! :(((( gutted”
Someone else commented: “THE BEST CLASSES. I’m gutted.”
Danny Jones -
19th January 2023 
