Premier League wage bill hits €1.4bn as clubs regain most profitable status

THE wage bill at the top English clubs soared by a record 23% to £1.2 billion (€1.4bn) in the 2007/08 season as they regained their status as the most profitable in the world.

Revenues at Premier League clubs are expected to total £2bn (€2.3bn) for the 2008/09 season, having soared to £1.9bn (€2.18bn) in the previous season, the annual review of football finance from the sport business group at Deloitte has found.

In a sign that the clubs will not be hit hard by the economic downturn, Deloitte expects England’s top clubs will continue to grow revenues in the coming season but at a slower pace.