Andrea Radrizzani can’t blame anyone but himself for potential £100million loss to 49ers this season
Leeds United owner Andrea Radrizzani could be set to lose over £100million to the 49ers Enterprises if the club are relegated from the Premier League this season – however, he has no one to blame but himself.
The Whites are currently embroiled in a tight relegation fight, sitting in 14th position, but just two points above the Premier League drop zone as all 20 teams part ways for the international break.
However, if the worst were to happen, and Javi Gracia’s side were to drop into the Championship at the end of the season, the sale of the club to the 49ers would drop drastically in value overnight.
As shared by Nick Harris, at the end of the 2021/22 season, in which Leeds finished in 17th position, the club effectively made a total of £114million, through a number of factors, including prize money and TV revenue following the end of the campaign.
Every club in the Premier League is given an equal share of £79million from the domestic and overseas TV deals each season – something that wouldn’t be anywhere near as large from the Championship – while the club also received an extra facility fee of £18.8million last year due to the number of times they were broadcast.
Premier League survival under Jesse Marsch in the 2021/22 campaign also meant the club received a further £5.6million share of the Premier League’s combined commercial income while being paid a £10.6million merit payment.
The 49ers Enterprises will be glued to their televisions whenever Leeds play over the coming months, in the hope that the club remains in the Premier League, not just for the prestige of top-flight football but also down to these huge broadcasting benefits that can easily reach over £100million a year.
Although Radrizzani will be trembling at the thought of losing over £100million for the sale of the club, he has been the architect of his own downfall.
Firstly, the choice to allow Jesse Marsch to take the reins from Marcelo Bielsa at Elland Road proved to be a poor choice, and secondly, the terribly timed decision to part company with the American in February must be considered as a major factor in the club’s struggles this term.
Add into the mix the contrasting fortunes of many of Victor Orta’s signings recently – including the underwhelming-looking club record signing Georginio Rutter – and Radrizzani may struggle to point the finger at anyone but himself.
In other Leeds United news, long-planned contract negotiations have “not progressed” leaving Elland Road exit door open.
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