Blues set for bumper TV pay-day

Chelsea have guaranteed the biggest-ever TV cash pay-out from the Champions League after beating Barcelona to make the final.

The Stamford Bridge club will earn at least £45million (€55.5m) with a further £2.8m (€3.4m) to come if they win the trophy.

The money is UEFA’s payments of TV cash alone and studies have shown the clubs can double that income from ticket sales, sponsorship and merchandise. Manchester United had previously held the record pay-out of CL television cash at £43.5m (€53m) last season, but this year earned only £28m (€34m) as a result of failing to qualify for the knockout stages.

Arsenal’s earnings were £22.7m (€27.6m) this year — £2m (€2.4m) less than the previous season — while Manchester City’s £21.3m (€25.9m) shows the difference with the Europa League where last season they earned just £4.5m (€5.4m).

2011-12 Champions League earnings: Chelsea £45m (€55.5m) (£36m (€43.9m) last season); Man Utd £28m (€34m) (£43m (€53m) last season); Arsenal £22.7m (€27.6m) (£24.7m (€30m) last season); Man City £21.3m (€25.9m) (£4.5m (€5.4m) in Europa League last season).