(Credit: Getty Images)
(Credit: Getty Images)
Brighton

Brighton man takes six-figure pay cut after official documents filed

James Murray
James Murray

James holds a degree in Sports Journalism and Communications (MA) from the Real Madrid Graduate School. He has experience working for a number of local news outlets as well as the Sunday Mirror and Real Madrid TV. James is from Scunthorpe and has an affinity with Scunthorpe United, but is also a huge West Ham supporter and an expert on all things to do with the Hammers. He started working for Breaking Media in July 2023, initially writing on the Club Sites, where he specialised in West Ham content, before moving to Football Insider – where he is now an expert in football finance, speaking regularly with Stefan Borson and Keith Wyness to generate high-quality content in all things related to finance in the Premier League, Football League, and Scottish Premiership.

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Brighton’s highest-paid director has taken a significant pay cut after last season’s accounts have been revealed. 

Brighton posted their accounts for the 2024-25 campaign on Friday (9 January), showing their revenue has fallen from £260.9million in 2023-24 to £242.7m. 

It is believed chief executive Paul Barber is the highest-paid director at the Amex Stadium, having spent the past 14 years with the club. 

Barber was paid £3.2m in the 2023-24 campaign, while the latest accounts revealed his annual salary dropped to just under £2.7m last season. 

Fabian Hurzeler led Brighton to an eighth-place finish in the Premier League, having arrived from St Pauli in the summer of 2024. 

Why Brighton recorded significant financial loss last season

Brighton recorded a club-record revenue in 2023-24 after competing in the Europa League during that campaign. 

The lack of European football last season saw the Seagulls’ broadcast revenue drop from £163.8m to £151.1m. 

Meanwhile, matchday income remained static at £27.9m and commercial revenue increased from £20.7m to £22.8m as they look to cash in on opportunities at the Amex. 

Brighton chairman Tony Bloom
Tony Bloom has helped Brighton cement their place in the Premier League (Credit: Getty Images)

Brighton have been one of the best-run clubs in the Premier League under owner Tony Bloom, having posted significant profits in recent years. 

However, the south-coast outfit went from recording a £75.1m pre-tax profit in 2023-24 to a pre-tax loss of £55.8m last season. 

Brighton pointed to the dramatic change in their player-trading results, which fell from a £68.1m profit to a £25m loss, as a key reason behind their substantial deficit.

How much do Brighton spend on player wages?

While Brighton are not one of the clubs paying the highest wages in the Premier League, their salary costs did increase last season. 

The latest accounts revealed the wage bill at the Amex surged from £146.2m to £164.6m, marking their highest-ever outlay in that department. 

The Seagulls spent £210.5m on new signings, with 12 players arriving through the door across the campaign. 

While Brighton have received big money for several stars in recent years, they only brought in £64.3m from player sales last season. 

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler sat down in the technical area at the AMEX Stadium.
Fabian Hurzeler led Brighton to an eighth-place finish in the Premier League last season (Credit: Imago)

However, the club brought in £127m from player sales last summer, while £71m was spent on new arrivals. 

Hurzeler’s side currently sit 11th in the Premier League table, but they are just four points behind fifth-place Brentford after 21 games this season. 

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