Analysis covered by the Liverpool Echo has highlighted the paramountcy of the proposed Bramley-Moore Dock stadium development in securing the long-term financial wellbeing of Everton.
Having been banned from admitting matchday crowds into Goodison Park after the outbreak of the global pandemic earlier this year, the Toffees were revealed to have suffered losses of £3.5m through the cessation of matchday income from gate receipts.
Whilst the Liverpool Echo noted that traditional ‘top six’ Premier League rivals were hit harder than Everton – with Manchester United losing more than £70m from a lack of gate receipts – the Merseysiders have nonetheless suffered from losing a vital stream of revenue.
The majority of the Toffees’ essential income stems from their portion of lucrative TV deal packages which are distributed by the Premier League, exacerbating the importance of building a new stadium on Merseyside.
According to figures from Everton’s most recent accounts, sourced via Liverpool Echo, the club ‘earned £14.2m in gate receipts from 19 Premier League games and four cup matches’ during the 2018/19 season. In a further boost, hospitality income (labelled under ‘Other Commercial Activities’) yielded a further £11.7 million.
Those figures may seem hefty, but the Liverpool Echo offers some context, with the source noting: ‘Over the course of the 2018-19 campaign, United trousered £111m on matchdays, Liverpool earned £84m, Spurs got £71m (much of that season was spent at Wembley), Arsenal banked £69m, Chelsea got back £66m and Man City reported income of £55m.’
READ EVERTON VERDICT
That attests to the size of the financial chasm between top six hopefuls such as Everton and the traditional holders of European privileges.
The 52,888-seat Bramley-Moore Dock stadium is therefore the cornerstone to yielding greater revenue; more seats means more gate receipts of course, but state-of-the-art commercial and hospitality segments could also go further in bumping up the numbers of off-field activity.
The second key component is regular European football – the key distinguishing factor of top six sides. When both components are fulfilled, Everton could skyrocket to the next level.
