Despite Project Restart, the plan to get the Premier League season back underway, the English top-flight is reportedly destined to lose tons of cash due to the coronavirus pandemic. According to BBC Sport, the clubs could be forced to pay $416M back to both the domestic and international broadcasters even if the action returned behind closed doors as planned.
The reason for this is simple: games will not be stages as originally planned. Should the 2019/20 campaign resume, matches will take place without fans and at a different kick-off time than previously arranged.
The worst-case scenario – the entire season being canceled – paints an even bleaker financial picture for the Premier League. As revealed by Richard Masters, the competition's chief executive, the English top-flight stands to lose "at least" $1.2BN should the pending campaign not be completed.
A meeting was held with the clubs on May 11 in which the financial projections were outlined for all teams to see. The aim is to everything back and running by mid-June but regardless of whether this is achieved or not, the Premier League is in for huge losses.
"We were able to update our clubs today on our situation with broadcasters, which is obviously confidential," Masters said, as per the BBC.
"Whatever happens, there's going to be significant loss of revenue for clubs. That is inevitable."
The British government has given the green light for the return of sports by June 1. However, one contentious issue is where the matches would be stages should the season return.
Holding games at neutral venue is a suggestion, with the goal being to protect both the safety of the players and the general public by avoiding fans gathering outside home stadiums. The likes of Watford, Aston Villa and Brighton & Hove Albion are all against this proposition. Masters revealed that discussions on this topic are ongoing.
