Kieran Maguire issues West Brom claim as EFL punishment confirmed – ‘My understanding is’
The likes of West Brom will not take a meaningful hit from the Football League’s decision to scrap its Russian TV deal.
That is the view of finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the value of overseas broadcast rights to the EFL.
The EFL announced on Tuesday (8 March) that it had withdrawn broadcast access in Russia in response to the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine.
Television coverage has been scrapped alongside iFollow streaming services in the territory as part of the UK’s effort to punish Russia.
Albion earned £40m in TV income in 2019-20, the last financial year on record, for a season in which they won promotion from the Championship.
Maguire does not believe the Baggies will feel any significant impact from the cancellation of the Russian broadcast deal.
“My understanding is that it is a very small fraction as far as the EFL is concerned,” he told Football Insider‘s Adam Williams.
“There isn’t anything like the money in the Championship compared to the Premier League.
“Overseas audiences aren’t hugely interested in the second divisions of other counties. It is not a lucrative market for clubs like West Brom.
“Contrast that to the Premier League where over 50 per cent of its revenue comes from the overseas market.”
The EFL lists 175 different international broadcast partners in total.
West Brom, who drew 2-2 with Huddersfield Town last Friday (11 March), are currently 14th in the Championship with 10 games left to play.
In other news, Maguire claims West Brom shareholders have sent “clear message” after twist in £5m legal drama.