English Premier League generates highest revenue, German Bundesliga most profitable

(AFP PHOTO/Adrian Dennis)

The English Premier League earned over €2 billion during the 2008/09 season, but it was Germany's Bundesliga that nabbed top spot for profitability, according to the Annual Review of Football Finance 2010, a new report by financial consultants Deloitte.

Despite earning nearly €1 billion less than their English counterparts, lower operating costs for the Bundesliga meant that profits were up to €172m in comparison to the Premier League's €93m.

The Bundesliga also experienced the most growth, gaining €137m for a total revenue of €1,575m.

Two German sides reached the UEFA Cup semi-finals during 08/09, with Werder Bremen just missing out on silverware to Ukranians Shakhtar Donetsk. Bayern's progress through the Champions League was stopped in the quarter-finals by eventual winners Barcelona.

An ealier report published in March, the Football Money League, revealed that Real Madrid was the club side with biggest global revenues over the same period.

Sitting top of the pile with a record yearly revenue of €400m, Real Madrid and second-placed Barcelona pulled in a combined €93m and were responsible for Spain's top-flight league, La Liga, experiencing a growth in revenue of €63m to €1,501m. In contrast, earnings for the other 18 Spanish sides fell by €30m overall.

€161m of Real's total was provided by income from broadcasting rights which stood them in good stead as pitch-side fortunes were reversed. Real Madrid floundered in the Champions League and came second to rivals Barcelona in their domestic league.

Barca, meanwhile, added the Spanish cup and the Champions League trophies to their cabinet. Those domestic and European titles are credited with providing the impetus behind the Catalans' €57m increase in revenue to €366mn, helping them slip past Manchester United who fell to third.

Top Five Football Leagues By Revenue
1. England: The Premier League (€2.326m)
2. Germany: Bundesliga (€1.494m)
3. Spain: La Liga (€1,575m)
4. Italy: Serie A (€1,494m)
5. France: Ligue 1 (€1,048m)