With Sky Sports and BT Sport now battling for television rights to the Premier League, England’s top flight is the wealthiest it has ever been.
While our attention is often fixed on the monstrous wages that the players earn, with Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney said to pocket £300,000 per-week, it’s often overlooked just how rich the men and women at the top of the clubs are.
And the Mirror have revealed the wealth of the Premier League’s owners, and it’ll come as no surprise as to who boasts the most billions in the EPL…
SEE MORE:
Revealed: The most HATED Premier League teams, Man Utd, Chelsea & Liverpool DESPISED by supporters
20. Norwich – Delia Smith/Michael Wynn Jones – £23million
Delia Smith, the celebrated television chef and life-long Canaries supporter, and her husband helped rescue the club from financial trouble, and their subsequent rise to the top of English football has been remarkable.
19. Swansea City – The Morgan family – £32million
The Swans’ owners have preferred to keep themselves out of the spotlight as their club continue to impress. The Morgan family did, however, hit the headlines after the owner’s son was ‘kicked’ by Chelsea winger Eden Hazard in the Capital One Cup in January 2013.
18. Everton – Bill Kenwright – £33million
Kenwright has often faced criticism for his perceived lack of investment in the club, with many bewildered by his refusal to sell to a wealthier benefactor.
17. Crystal Palace – Steve Parish – £45million
Parish, alongside three other businessmen, are crucial in the Eagles’ rise to England’s top flight, saving the club from administration in 2010.
16. West Brom – Jeremy Peace – £50million
Pearce joined the Baggies board in 2010, and quickly earned a reputation for his tough structure put in place with the club. He is said to have eased in his stance, and is looking for a buyer.
15. Bournemouth – Maxim Demin – £100million
The Russian businessman has quietly gone about his business at leading the Cherries to a stunning rise to the top.
14. Watford – Giampaolo Pozzo – £120million
The Italian businessman owns three clubs, Udinese, Granada and Watford, and suffered criticism for the merry-go-round on loan deals upon his arrival at Vicarage Road in June 2012. With mega money having been spent this summer, failure to remain in the Premier League would be unacceptable.
13. Aston Villa – Randy Lerner – £640million
In 2006, Lerner bought out Villa for a figure in excess of £60m, and his funding oversaw a period of excellent success under Martin O’Neill. Last May, he announced that he was looking for a buyer, and the search remains ongoing.
12. West Ham – David Sullivan – £850million
Perhaps the most flamboyant owner in the Premier League, what with his fur, gold chains and helicopter rides. Sullivan was key in negotiating the Hammers’ 2016 move to the Olympic Stadium.
11. Stoke City – The Coates family – £925million
Peter Coates has helped firmly establish the Potters as a Premier League side.
10. Liverpool – John Henry – £1billion
Henry, American businessman and investor, arrived on Merseyside with a bang, and proved to be ruthless in his ownership. He sacked Anfield icon Kenny Dalglish in 2012, and has continued to ignore calls demanding Brendan Rodgers be sacked. His spending in the market suggests his knowledge of football is limited.
9. Leicester – Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha – £1.4billion
Srivaddhanaprabha bought Leicester in 2010, overseeing their rise to England’s top flight. May have upset a few fans, however, after sacking Nigel Pearson at the end of June.
8. Southampton – Katharina Liebherr – £1.9billion
Katharina hit the headlines after taking over from her father who died of a sudden heart attack in 2010. Her popularity was at its lowest in the summer of 2014 when she granted a number of the club’s stars, including Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren, Rickie Lambert, Luke Shaw and Calum Chambers, exits to Premier League rivals. Nonetheless, her appointment of Ronald Koeman and their excellent performances under his guidance has repaired her reputation.
7. Sunderland – Ellis Short – £2.4billion
Somehow, Short is yet to experience the devasation of relegation to the Championship since taking over in 2008.
6. Manchester United – The Glazer family – £3billion
The Glazers remain unpopular with the Red Devils’ supporters. Despite the death of Malcolm in 2014, there was little change to the running of the club with his two sons taking over.
5. Newcastle – Mike Ashley – £3.5billion
Ashley’s incredible billions mostly derive from Sports Direct, and despite his incredible worth, he has often been accused by the Newcastle supporters of a lack of ambition for the club.
4. Arsenal – Stan Kroenke – £4billion
Depsite his importance to the club, Korenke is an unfamilar face to Premier League supporters, preferring to keep his role behind-the-scenes. It’s suggested that the Gunners faithful would like to see and hear a little more from their owner.
3. Tottenham – Joe Lewis – £4.9billion
Forbes revealed that Lewis was the tenth wealthies Briton in 2014, and Spurs fans must be wondering why he doesn’t invest more into the club.
2. Chelsea – Roman Abramovich – £5.3billion
The Premier League’s most famed club owner, with the Russian businessman’s enormous wealth coming from his native. His next job for Chelsea looks to be a pricey redevelopment of Stamford Bridge.
1. Manchester City – Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan – £20billion
Despite Abramovich’s wealth, no one can catch Manchester City’s owners. The Citizens quickly became the richest club in England following their take over. Their spending doesn’t seem to be dwindling, and they will surely be unforgiving if Manuel Pellegrini finishes another season without silverware.
