‘Apoplectic’ – Simon Jordan claims £17.5m windfall will ease ‘nightmare’ for Leeds
talkSPORT pundit Simon Jordan has said that if the 19/20 seasons are voided, the top Championship clubs like Leeds United should be compensated for what would be a “nightmare” scenario.
Writing in his column in the Sun, he claims that should amount to £17.5m for Leeds if the Premier League diverts parachute payments.
Jordan has said he wants the seasons to be completed and his plan is for games to resume in the middle of May and play over two-and-a-half months behind closed doors if necessary.
However, if the 19/20 season has to be scrapped he has the following plan.
He wrote: “Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds would be equally apoplectic if they were to miss out on a return to the Premier League after 16 years away.
“The one thing that will ease some of the pain and deals with the elephant in the room is compensation.
“The Premier League pays three teams a total of £180m in year one parachute payments — but won’t without relegation.
“If half of that went into the EFL that’s £90m to cover the loss of revenue at each club. There’ll be even more to go around if the PFA don’t demand the £27m that would inflate their already bulging coffers.
“Giving each Championship club £1.5m would cover their lost revenue — and you could add a further £36m to be shared between the top six.
“If it was weighted towards the top two, Leeds could get another £10m.”
Jordan admits this would be “scant consolation” for Andrea Radrizzani but said it would be better than nothing.
But, while that’s true, it wouldn’t wash with Leeds fans.
The Premier League is worth between £100m and £200m but getting back in the top flight is what Leeds fans want after 16 years in the wilderness.
£17.5m isn’t even going to be a plaster on the wound if Leeds are denied what they’ve earned this season.
It also won’t compensate for the loss of Marcelo Bielsa and Kalvin Phillips, with both likely to go if Leeds remain in the Championship.
Jordan is right about one thing – it’s better than nothing, but only just.
In other Leeds United news, Leeds close to agreeing £120m QSI takeover deal after Premier League development – report