West Brom: Kieran Maguire makes ‘sizeable’ windfall claim in new Championship playoff call
Kieran Maguire has insisted that going up through the playoffs would be more beneficial to clubs than achieving automatic promotion, with West Brom among the clubs named.
The football finance expert was speaking on The Price Of Football podcast [4 March] when he explained that 50% of revenue from the playoffs is split between the clubs.
Using West Brom and Leeds United as examples if they were to face each other in the playoffs, it was explained that with around 80,000 fans attending the semi-finals, and selling out Wembley, the financial boost would be “sizeable”.
When asked whether a team finishing in the playoff places could earn more than an automatically promoted team, Maguire shared: “Yes, they certainly can. Part of the reason for that is that there is no prize money given in the EFL for winning the Championship.
“When it comes to the playoffs, the way the money is distributed, you deduct the cost of hosting the game, 50% of the money goes into the EFL pool, and the other 50% is split between the two clubs. That’s the same when it comes to the final.
“Let’s say we’ve got two big clubs, it could be Leeds versus West Brom in the playoffs. Those matches are going to sell out and it’ll be 70,000 or 80,000 people turning up for those two matches, and they’re going to sell out at Wembley.
“We are talking sizeable amounts so from a financial point of view, you do get that leg up. The downside is there is an extra two or three weeks before you are promoted, so it’s an extra two or three weeks before you can start your recruitment.”
Sizeable financial windfall now on the cards at West Brom
If Albion can make it into the playoffs it will be a magnificent achievement not just on the pitch but off it too, with the financial windfall that comes with making the playoffs likely to be massive for the club.
Carlos Corberan has received high praise for his management of the team so far this season to have them in such a strong position but will need to keep the good times rolling if he wants to make certain of a playoff place.
The Baggies’ financial position has been a huge talking point this season after their parachute payments ended, and if they can achieve promotion it would be a huge boost to the club – but even a place in the playoffs could make all the difference.
With the takeover by Shilen Patel now completed at The Hawthorns, the final stages of this season could prove crucial, with the chance of promotion everybody at the club will be desperate to make the most of following the good news.
In other West Brom news, more transfer news has emerged.
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