Contact: Brian Bell
WHPR
+353 (0) 87 2436130

Contact: Tom Wilson
Deloitte
PR Executive
00 353 1 4172200

The second leg of the final qualifying round for the 2005/06 UEFA Champions League, played today and tomorrow, sees three Premiership clubs playing, in financial terms, the most financially important games of the season.

Dan Jones, Partner in the Sports Business Group at Deloitte, commented: “In addition to sporting glory, Everton are playing for a minimum of £10 million in Champions League monies – a combination of centrally distributed UEFA monies, match day and commercial revenue.”

• Qualification to Champions League group stage worth at least £10 million in revenue to Everton;
• Qualification by Everton, Liverpool and Manchester United, joining Chelsea and Arsenal, could result in the total revenue generated for the five clubs exceeding £100 million depending on results on the pitch;
  • Liverpool’s 2005 triumph generated an estimated £30 million of revenues.

Dan Jones of Deloitte went on to say: “If Everton are unsuccessful, there is still an opportunity to tap into European club football riches. While not as profitable as the Champions League, the UEFA Cup is still capable of generating significant revenue for participating clubs.  Broadcasting monies are lower but the group stages, introduced last year, guarantee clubs at least two home games generating substantial match day receipts.  Given Everton’s fantastic achievement in finishing fourth in the Premiership in 2004/05, after a long wait, they certainly deserve a prolonged spell in Europe.”

Ends

Notes to editors

About the Sports Business Group at Deloitte
Over the last 15 years Deloitte has developed a unique focus on the business of sport. Our specialist Sports Business Group offers a multi-disciplined expert service with dedicated people and skills capable of adding significant value to the business of sport. Whether it is benchmarking or strategic business reviews, operational turnarounds, revenue enhancement strategies or stadium/venue development plans, business planning, market and demand analysis, acquisitions, due diligence, expert witness, audits or tax planning; we have worked with more clubs, leagues, governing bodies, stadia developers, event organisers, commercial partners, financiers and investors than any other adviser.

For further information on our services you can access our website at www.sportsconsulting.co.uk 

About Deloitte
In this press release references to Deloitte are references to Deloitte & Touche LLP.

Deloitte & Touche LLP is the UK's fastest growing major professional services firm based in 21 UK locations, with over 10,000 staff nationwide and fee income of £1,246 million in 2003/2004. It is a member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, a leading professional services organisation, delivering world class audit, tax, consulting and corporate finance services, with around 120,000 people in over 140 countries. Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu is a Swiss Verein, and each of its national practices is a separate and independent legal entity.

Deloitte & Touche LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

The information contained in this press release is correct at the time of going to press.

For further information, visit our website at www.deloitte.co.uk