Liverpool Football Club have moved through the £300M barrier for revenues in the year before the lucrative new TV deal comes into effect.
The figures released today cover the period June 1st 2015-May 31st 2016 - a period which saw the manager replaced but a long run in the Europa League that culminated in a final against Sevilla.
The club's total revenue increased from £297.9M to £301.9M despite construction work at Anfield on the Main Stand which affected non-matchday revenue at the ground. This figure does not include a sizeable profit from player sales (Raheem Sterling joined Man City for £50M).
The three main drivers of revenue are as follows:
Media revenue which includes Premier League payments was £123.6M (slightly up on £122.6M). This figure will rise significantly in the next accounts after the Premier League signed a massive new domestic TV deal, combined with rises in overseas TV deals.
Liverpool had 23 league games televised during the year and despite finishing 8th still collected £90M in Premier League payments - the 6th highest. A similar league finish this season would see the club make at least £25M more and the reds will have been televised at least 25 times in the UK (May's TV games still to be decided).
Liverpool also collected around £30M from UEFA for their run in the Europa League. By far the highest earners in the competition even though they lost the final to Sevilla.
Commercial revenue was £115.7M (down slightly from £116.3M). The stadium construction here playing a part in the decrease as stadium tours, weddings and corporate events were affected. The club signed 10 new 'partnership deals' during the year.
MatchDay income was £62.4M (up from £59M) - this was primarily down to increased matches due to the Europa League run.
The reds posted a loss of £19M on their figures for the year.
Since these figures the new TV deal has come into place, the reds have opened their new Main Stand which contains around 50% corporate seating and has had two tight-beltening transfer windows - the reds were one of the only clubs in the Premier League to keep transfer spending under zero in last summer and this January's windows.
These figures will be reflected in the accounts till the end of this May.
Andy Hughes, Liverpool's Chief Operating Officer reflected on the results saying:
“These results demonstrate the solid financial progress that’s been made over the past six years under the leadership of FSG with continued investment in the playing squad and the completion of the main stand.
“The increase in the underlying revenue adds further strength to the club’s financial position despite the cost of football rising with player transfer fees, wages and agents’ costs.
“During this reporting period, we also agreed a new five-year credit facility, which further secures the club’s long-term financial stability.
The reds will almost certainly record a large profit on player sales too for the year - with Raheem Sterling exiting to Man City for £50M that summer as well as sales of Borini, Aspas, Coates and Rickie Lambert.
Although Liverpool did spend around £100M in the summer of 2015, with Benteke, Firmino and Clyne taking up almost £80M - this purchase figure will be spread over the length of their contract so the reds will see a substantial increase in player amortisation.
Liverpool and their effective owner UKSV Holdings Ltd refinanced a 5 year £150M credit facility during the year - which is used for day to day spending.
It is not yet clear how much of LFC's potential £360M expenditure has gone towards the new Main Stand.
