Hangover from collapsed Setanta TV deal sees FA income fall

England’s Football Association suffered a £34million (€41.3m) hit in income from broadcast rights last season, the governing body’s annual report has revealed.

The FA saw its income drop from £327m (€397m) in 2011/12 to £299m (€363m) in the 2012/13 period, but still made a £28m (€34m) operating profit and was able to increase the amount it puts back into football by £11m (€13.3m) to £108m (€131m).

The biggest fall in revenues was from broadcast income, a result of the hangover from the collapsed Setanta deal back in 2009.

The FA was forced to agree a short-term two-year deal with ITV for England matches and the FA Cup ending in July this year, which led to a £34m (€41.3m) reduction in income.

The fact England were not involved in a major tournament last year also contributed a £10m (€12.1m) cut in revenue, although the drop was offset by extra cash from the new national football centre at St George’s Park (£15m, (€18.2m)) plus £7m (€8.5m) extra from Wembley Stadium events.

The FA’s annual report says, however, that broadcasting income will increase in future seasons.

It says: “This reduction is partly offset by the additional international broadcasting revenues generated by the rights granted to nine broadcasters over the six-year period to July 2018.

“The domestic broadcasting rights for the four seasons from August 2014 to July 2018 were acquired by ITV for England friendly matches and by BBC and BT Sport for the FA Cup coverage.

“All of the Group’s broadcasting rights are sold to July 2018 and domestic broadcasting revenues will increase from the 2014/15 season.”