Women’s Super League clubs’ income up by 50% but pre-tax losses increase | OneFootball

Women’s Super League clubs had a 50% increase in their combined revenues in the 2022-23 campaign compared with the previous season, new figures show, but pre-tax losses still increased.

According to analysis by Deloitte, WSL clubs generated a record £48m in aggregate revenue during the season that followed England’s women winning Euro 2022. That was up from £32m in the previous season, and more than double the 2020-21 figure (£20m).

The top four revenue-generating clubs – Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United – generated 66% of the revenue for the 12-team division.

Deloitte is forecasting that WSL revenues were above £50m during the campaign that finished last month, but clubs will not be obliged to publish their financial accounts for 2023-24 via Companies House until next year. For the 2024-25 campaign, the first in which the WSL will be run by NewCo rather than the Football Association, Deloitte’s projected revenue figure is £68m.

Newco, as revealed by the Guardian on Monday, is set to hire Chelsea’s commercial director Zarah al-Kudcy as its chief revenue officer, as the entity that will run the top two leagues tries to increase commercial revenue streams and make the professional end of the women’s game in England financially sustainable.

Wages in the WSL encompassed 75% of revenue and totalled £36m, rising by 45% from the previous season’s £25m, but the wage bills of the “big four” accounted for more than half the league’s spending on wages.

WSL clubs’ pre-tax losses climbed to £21m in 2022-23, up from £14m in the previous term.

Jenny Haskel, the knowledge and insight lead in Deloitte’s sports business group, said: “Driving a loyal fanbase, habitual viewing and distinct commercial partnerships was a clear priority for WSL clubs in the 2022-23 season and the soaring revenue growth achieved demonstrates the strides that have been made. However, we’re still in the foothills of growth in the women’s game. As NewCo concentrates on growing the popularity, standards and visibility of the women’s game in England, collaboration with clubs and other stakeholders will be an important element.”

Header image: [Photograph: Naomi Baker/The FA/Getty Images]