Business of Sport Manchester City reports record revenues By Gavin Gibbon December 13, 2024, 4:41 PM Reuters/Molly Darlington Manchester City celebrate after winning the Premier League. The club has posted profits of £73.8m Revenues reach $903m Player-trading income up 15% Global TV audience of 694m Despite a recent slump in form on the pitch, the Abu Dhabi-backed English football team Manchester City is thriving commercially, its annual report revealed this week. The club has announced record-breaking revenues of £715 million ($903 million) for the past year, with profits of £73.8 million. Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said: “Our focus remains on further evolution and growth and therefore further value creation in all aspects of our business.” The club’s player-trading income increased 15 percent year on year to £139 million, buoyed by the £62 million sale in the summer of Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid, Joao Cancelo’s £20.5 million switch to the Saudi club Al-Hilal and Taylor Harwood-Bellis’s £19 million transfer to Southampton. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, vice-president and deputy prime minister of Abu Dhabi, bought Manchester City from Thailand’s Thaksin Shinawatra for £210 million nearly 14 years ago. Since then, he has invested more than £1.5 billion in the club, helping them to eight Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy. Pep Guardiola’s side attracted a global television audience of 694 million people across all competitions in the past year. The club is currently completing a £300 million expansion of the north stand that will increase the capacity of its Etihad Stadium to more than 60,000. Qatar scores Champions League deal in battle for Gulf skies Saudi Arabia expands global reach with 900 sports deals Saudi PIF ups stake in Newcastle United to 85% It will also include a hotel, a fan zone that can hold 3,000 supporters and a 4,000 square metre co-working space for startups and other businesses. Manchester City is awaiting the results of an investigation by the Premier League into allegations that it broke more than 100 of the league’s financial rules between 2009 and 2018. The hearing concluded earlier this month with a verdict expected in the spring of next year. Manchester City denies all the charges. Register now: It’s easy and free AGBI registered members can access even more of our unique analysis and perspective on business and economics in the Middle East. Why sign uP Exclusive weekly email from our editor-in-chief Personalised weekly emails for your preferred industry sectors Read and download our insight packed white papers Access to our mobile app Prioritised access to live events Register for free Already registered? Sign in I’ll register later
