(Credit: Imago)
(Credit: Imago)

Exclusive: West Ham face crushing £60m+ blow

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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West Ham could lose more than £60million in revenue if they are relegated from the Premier League this season, sources have told Football Insider

West Ham have endured a miserable start to the campaign as they currently sit second-bottom in the Premier League, four points behind Fulham in 17th. 

Graham Potter was sacked as the West Ham manager on 27 September after his side claimed just one win from their opening six games in all competitions. 

West Ham have since hired Nuno Espirito Santo as Potter’s replacement, but the Portuguese boss has failed to win any of his first four matches in charge. 

The Hammers are facing a huge drop in revenue if they fail to turn their fortunes around on the pitch over the coming months. 

Nuno Espirito Santo on the touchline at West Ham
Nuno Espirito Santo has faced a challenging start to life at West Ham (Credit: Imago)

What parachute payments do clubs receive after relegation?

The difference between playing Premier League and Championship football is seismic for a club like West Ham, having spent the past 13 years in the top flight. 

The latest available club accounts revealed Sheffield United, who finished bottom of the Premier League in the 2023-24 season, earned just under £110m in top-flight payments for that campaign.

Meanwhile, Leeds United were paid £49m in parachute payments in 2023-24 after being relegated to the Championship, marking a £61m difference. 

Nuno Espirito Santo in a press conference
Nuno Espirito Santo is looking to keep West Ham in the Premier League (Credit: Imago)

That is before any potential impact to commercial and matchday revenues are factored in, with a club like West Ham having much less appeal in the second tier compared to the Premier League.

How much revenue do West Ham generate?

West Ham posted a club-record revenue in their latest published accounts for 2023-24 after their turnover surged from £236.7m in 2022-23 to £269.8m. 

That was driven by the Hammers’ improved position in the Premier League, having finished ninth in David Moyes’s final season at the London Stadium, as well as higher European income and a £19.4m increase in broadcast revenue to £167m. 

The club also improved their commercial income from £35.1m in 2022-23 to £41.9m, while their matchday revenue grew from £40.9m to £44.6m. 

A potential relegation to the Championship could see those figures fall dramatically. 

West Ham chairman David Sullivan at the London Stadium
David Sullivan has faced intense criticism from the West Ham fans (Credit: Imago)

Some West Ham fans boycotted the game against Brentford on 20 October in protest against the club’s ownership, with the Bees claiming a comfortable 2-0 victory at the London Stadium. 

Nuno is now preparing his side to host Newcastle United in their next Premier League fixture on Sunday (2 November). 

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