Big three to bankroll lower-league rescue package
Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea are set to become the largest contributors to a proposed £1.5billion funding package for the Football League, with a vote expected shortly. According to Sky News' Mark Kleinman, the new 'landmark' deal would see money handed over to lower-league clubs over the next decade.
The redistribution formula means the Premier League's biggest earners pay the most, rather than every club chipping in the same amount. That puts City, Arsenal and Chelsea at the top of the bill.
Where the money goes
Upwards of £150million is already distributed across the Championship, League One and League Two. The National League receives between £23m and £27m. This new deal would significantly increase those sums.
Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett welcomed the news but offered a dose of reality.
I think it's important, but the reality is and has been that the majority of the money that the Premier League secures goes into the players' pockets.
Hackett pointed to existing Premier League investment through the Football Foundation, which has helped clubs install 3G pitches. Without that funding, he said, some clubs would struggle.
He also noted structural developments at clubs like Everton, who have a new stadium, and Manchester United, whose plans remain in the planning stage. No mention of City's own infrastructure projects, but the message is clear: money alone doesn't fix everything.
The vote looms. City's cheque book is out again — this time for the good of the game.