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.

19
May

Champions League + Europa League spots sealed

The Barclays Premier League has come to an end and the Champions League positions are set. The Premier League will be sending the same representatives as last year but will be hoping for a much better result as none of them made it through to the Quarterfinals in this year’s competition.

There will be a different look for the Europa League representatives this season.

Tottenham will be returning to the Europa League for the second consecutive season and will be joined by Swansea and a relegated Wigan club.

Swansea has secured their birth thanks to a 5-0 victory over Bradford in the League Cup final. Despite the impending relegation, Wigan will be heading to the Europa League group stage courtesy of a 1-0 defeat of Manchester City in the FA Cup Final.

19
May

Thank you fans!

It’s not a good-bye.

Thank you all for watching and for supporting the Premier League all these years on FOX Soccer. It’s been a blast and our pleasure bringing it to you, the fans.

As a reminder, FOX Sports 1, America’s new sports network, will be our new home for soccer starting August 17. Until then, FOX Soccer has next weekend’s Champions League final on tap, as well as this summer’s Gold Cup and plenty more.

18
May

Premier League, Surviving on Top: Part two

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In part two of our examination of the history and impact of relegation from the Premier League, we take a look at the statistical odds and financial impact for each club.

There is still hope for recently-relegated Wigan, Reading, and QPR. Clubs that are relegated to the Championship have a 60% chance of returning to the Premier League the following season — though none that were relegated last year made their way back.

For clubs that are promoted to the Premier League, there is an 82% chance that they will be relegated the following year, evidenced by Reading this year. Newly promoted Cardiff City hopes to channel the momentum to make sure that doesn’t happen next year:

The financial implications of relegation cannot be overstated. Next season, Premier League clubs will receive 30 times more yearly revenue from TV rights than teams in the Championship. Just one year of relegation can cripple a team’s finances.

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Tomorrow, we look at the relegation hardships that teams endure, as well as the compensation received to help soften the financial blow. 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.

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18
May

Mancini takes out full-page ad to thank City fans

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While Manchester City manager Roberto Manicini did not even make it to the end of the season, he took the high road and put out this classy ad in the Manchester Evening News.

Mancini is pictured with the 2011 FA Cup, 2012 Community Shield, and 2012 Premier League trophy, thanking the fans for three unforgettable years.

He was not a popular man among players and club officials, but fans have still held him in a high regard and he should receive plenty of support for a new position sooner than later.

Image via @Danmcfcjones

18
May

Chelsea, United in CR7 bidding war

It wasn’t too long ago that Cristiano Ronaldo left Manchester United for a mind-blowing £80 million. If the rumors are true, he could be on the move again. It will take similar money for Real Madrid to part with their main man, who has bagged an incredible 55 goals already this season!

Today’s rumor is that Ronaldo is set to leave La Liga and travel back to the Premier League. Chelsea and Manchester United are ready to start a bidding war for the Portuguese international.

For this rumor and the rest of today’s transfer gossip, click here.

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.