Arsenal are getting bigger
Arsenal are about to get bigger
The Deloitte Football Money League for 2003/4 shows Arsenal in 6th place with an annual turnover of £115 million.
Top of the league is Manchester United on £171.50, followed by Real Madrid on £156.30, AC Milan on £147.20 and then Chelsea on £143.70.
All this however is about to change with the opening of the Emirates Stadium. Because that is going to give Arsenal another £30 a year income – at least. That would take Arsenal up to £145 and into 4th spot in the world.
But that is not all. Arsenal currently earn £21m a year from commercial activity. This compares with £33m for Chelsea, £39m for AC milan, £56 for Real Madrid, and £47 for Manchester Utd.
As can be seen what this shows is that Arsenal’s commercial activities outside of gate receipts and TV rights are tiny compared with their rivals in the league table. Even Liverpool, a team that consistently ends up nearer the bottom of the Premiership than the top, far outshine Arsenal with £32m worth of commercial activities. Indeed even Newcastle earn more than Arsenal.
And this is the bit that is about to change. Arsenal have been holding back on future commercial development pending the launch of the new stadium. But once that is up and running, the commercial side will role out. Not only will Arsenal have a stadium worthy of their name, they also share with Chelsea the fact that they are in London – which attracts huge numbers of overseas fans. Beyond any doubt there will be an uptake of activity which will add at least another £15m a year to the commercial side – taking Arsenal up to £160m a year turnover – in second spot.
As I just said – Arsenal are about to get a lot bigger.
