19
May

Premier League, Surviving on top: Part Three

In the final segment of our examination of the history and impact of relegation from the Premier League, we focus on the financial difficulties of relegated clubs.

Along with money lost from television deals, teams also lose significant money from lack of sponsorship income and a historically lowered attendance. To combat this, teams are given parachute payments.

Every year, teams receive payments based on how many years they have been a victim of relegation. The payments gets smaller each year and stay at a fixed level after year 4 of relegation.

In total, teams that have been relegated average a loss of $71,000,000 the year after relegation. Nine clubs have actually gone bankrupt within 5 years of being relegated.

17
May

Premier League, Surviving on Top: Part One

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As the season comes to a close, we examine the history and impact of relegation from the Premier League with our three-part series “Surviving on Top.” Various topics during in our discourse include the overview of relegation, the 21-year history of Premier League relegation, as well as statistical and financial analysis on the impact of relegation.

To start, the most recent team to seal their fate to England’s second-tier league - the Football League Championship - were Wigan after their defeat against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on Wednesday:

Wigan previously held the distinction of being one of 11 clubs that never suffered relegation from the Premier League; with Arsenal, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Everton, Fulham, Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham, Stoke and Swansea also in the list. Conversely, of the 45 clubs that have enjoyed spells in the Premier League, eight of them have been relegated three or more times from the top flight:

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On Saturday, we take a look at the statistical odds of relegation and promotion, as well as the financial impact for each club in their respective league. All of this is leading up to FOX Soccer’s coverage of the final Premier League matchday with nine games live on broadcast across the FOX family of networks.

12
May

Watford’s last second goal in 97th minute after Leicester’s PK miss

You have to see it to believe it. In the npower Championship playoffs, Watford and Leicester City were tied 2-2 on aggregate, with Leicester ahead on away goals. In the 97th minute, Leicester earned a penalty kick and looked to put the tie on ice.

Cue the dramatic music.

After Leicester’s Anthony Knockaert penalty attempt was denied not once, but twice by keeper Manuel Almunia, Watford then charged up the field like bats out of hell. In a span of twenty seconds, they delivered the goal that put them through to the Championship final for a chance at Premier League promotion.

Absolutely incredible. Reminiscent of Landon Donovan’s 2010 World Cup goal vs Algeria, this is why we watch the beautiful game.

To get a look from every angle of the moment, watch Sky Sports’ Johnny Phillips go nuts as it happens:

11
May

What a finish!

Porto’s Kelvin scored this wonderful goal in the 91st minute Saturday to beat Benfica 2-1 and unseat them at the top of the Primeira Liga with just one more match to play. It may very well have decided the title, as Porto (still undefeated in league play) can clinch with a win next weekend.

As the goal was struck, Benfica coach Jorge Jesus fell to his knees, knowing his team may have just blown the championship. Poor Benfica, but hey, at least they can grab some silverware on Wednesday, when they play Chelsea in the Europa League final (2p ET on FOX Soccer)

4
May

It’s been a fantastic day for clubs in Yorkshire

On the final day of the Championship season, local Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield Town and Barnsley were both desperately trying to avoid relegation to League One.

Tension rose when Huddersfield scored the equalizer in the 82nd minute, Barnsley was doomed unless they could score again. But it wasn’t over yet.

Crystal Palace scored a late winner against Peterborough. That result meant that all the two Yorkshire clubs had to do was keep the score at 2-2 and both would live to play another season in the Championship.

Word of Palace’s win spread through the stadium, and the fans started chanting “Yorkshire! Yorkshire!”

The players quickly figured out what was happening.

Without hesitation, both sides appeared to agree to just hang out on the pitch until the game ended. Barnsley goalkeeper casually dribbled the ball around his box while the rest of the players stood at midfield, anxiously waiting the whistle.

When it finally blew, the stadium erupted in joyous celebrations.

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Add in Hull’s promotion to the Premier League, and we’re certain that all of Yorkshire will be partying tonight.