Europa League final could outvalue some nations’ GDPs, huge financial stakes for Man United and Spurs
Synopsis
The Europa League final between Manchester United and Tottenham carries massive financial implications, with the winner potentially earning up to £152 million due to Champions League qualification and associated benefits.
Manchester United and Tottenham's Europa League final is a high-stakes encounter, with the winner potentially earning up to £152 million. This astronomical figure is not just due to the prize money for winning the final, which is £10.95 million, but also because of the lucrative benefits of qualifying for the Champions League.
The financial breakdown is staggering. The Europa League prize money for the winner is £10.95 million, while the runner-up will receive £5.9 million. Qualifying for the Champions League brings an automatic windfall of £15.7 million in prize money, regardless of performance. In the Champions League league phase, each win is worth £1.8 million, while a draw earns £600,000. Position-based prize money ranges from £230,000 to £8.3 million.
The Champions League knockout stages offer even greater financial rewards. Reaching the quarter-finals is worth £10.5 million, the semi-finals £12.6 million, and the final £16.6 million, with an additional £5.5 million for the winner. Matchday revenue is also significant, with Manchester United potentially earning £24-48 million and Tottenham £19.6-39.2 million.
Sponsorships play a crucial role in the financial equation, with individual partnerships offering incentives for competition qualification or penalties for failure. For example, Manchester United avoids a £10 million penalty from Adidas if they qualify for the Champions League.
The impact on players and staff is also significant. Casemiro's wages could rise 25% to £500,000 if Manchester United qualifies for the Champions League. Conversely, failure to qualify could result in wage cuts, as seen with Andre Onana's 25% wage reduction. The impact of a loss on Manchester United's staffing levels is uncertain, given Sir Jim Ratcliffe's reputation for cost-cutting.
In the bigger picture, winning the Europa League could earn the winner up to £165.1 million, including potential earnings from next season's Champions League and Super Cup. A successful Champions League campaign could lead to a significant increase in revenue, with Manchester United potentially earning up to £166.8 million and Tottenham up to £148.6 million. This amount is more than the GDP of the world's smallest economies, Tuvalu and Nauru.