Sport

The global sports industry is undergoing a transformative phase, marked by an influx of wealth from the Middle East and the US, while lower-tier domestic games struggle financially and suffer declining attendance.

The centre of gravity in football is slowly starting to shift. Europe’s traditional power base is facing competition from countries like Saudi Arabia, which aims to become a global sporting epicentre – beyond football, into sports ranging from golf, tennis and boxing to Formula One and cricket. Its domestic football league is attracting world-class players and the nation is hosting major international sports events. Meanwhile, US dollars pour into elite football clubs, with American owners now controlling four of the Premier League’s most successful ever clubs.

But behind this wall of money is rising financial disparity and regulatory pressure. While elite sports bask in Saudi Arabia and US money, lower-league teams, in football, rugby and cricket, grapple with rising costs, declining attendance and stagnant income. In the UK, this growing gap threatens the financial stability of many traditional community-focused sports clubs.

Navigating the sports landscape requires independent expert guidance. BTG Advisory offers clubs an independent options review for those confronting a financial event. BTG Advisory is a leading adviser to football clubs facing administration, having represented most of the big cases in recent years.  Our work involves defining the financial impacts of various potential adverse scenarios, including heavy financial penalties for regulatory non-compliance, points deductions, and relegation. Our team can help prepare clubs to manage their financial obligations, including navigating player contracts, parachute payments, and operational costs to help bridge the income gap in the event of relegation.