Here is a list, compiled using Forbes Rich List and The Times newspaper of the top 10 richest Premier League club owners. There’s a new top dog and some surprising revelations.
#1. Queens Park Rangers [Net Worth of est. £32bn]
After the recent Tony Fernandes takeover the board issues for the Rangers have vanished. Neil Warnock was given money to spend on transfer deadline day and will expect the same in January. Hopefully QPR can recruit a goalscorer and some defensive reinforcements to secure their status as a Barclay’s Premier League club.
#2. Manchester City [Net Worth of est. £22.8bn]
Despite losing their #1 spot as richest club in the Premier League, Manchester City are still by far the most upwardly mobile club in world football. The money will continue to pour in and the team will improve, expand and dominate.
#3. Chelsea [Net Worth of est. £13.4bn]
Roman Abramovich’s riches are old news now but he continues to be as reliable as ever in regards to financial support and knee-jerk managerial firings. This summer Chelsea spent big again, landing at least 2 signings in excess of £15m and several more who weren’t cheap. Abramovich is keeping Chelsea neck and neck with the huge spenders.
#4. Arsenal [Net Worth of est. £12.42bn]
Arsenal are the fourth richest club in the Premier League but you wouldn’t have guessed it on face value. The financial backing is mostly thanks to Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov who is worth over £10bn himself. Arsene Wenger really should use some of these heaps of money to get his side back on track!
#5. Tottenham [Net Worth of est. £3bn]
Perhaps a surprise to see Spurs so high but they do splash the cash and often run with a high wage bill. Spurs fans will hope to see the money being pumped into the club maintain its current level if they are to re-launch themselves into the Champions League.
#6. Liverpool [Net Worth of est. £2.2bn]
John Henry has come in and seemingly rescued Liverpool from obscurity. A rich and successful club that was faltering has now been rejuvenated with big sums of cash and a classy influx of players. Signing Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll for for over £50m combined is a good way to endear yourselves with the fans right from the word go.
#7. Manchester United [Net Worth of est. £1.5bn]
Surprising to see United low on the list? Possibly, at the rate they spend, but it’s a fact the club has some debts to deal with and it’s run more like a business than a football club. The income they receive is generated from a huge array of sources and the fact that the owners aren’t worth as much as some simply doesn’t matter.
#8. Sunderland [Net Worth of est. £1.3bn]
Ellis Short has been a success story for Sunderland so far and his financial support for manager Steve Bruce cannot be questioned. While the teams on field results may not reflect the money that is being put in, if Ellis Short continues to back the club just as well in his new chairman position, Sunderland will see increased success sooner rather than later.
#9. Fulham [Net Worth of est. £1.25bn]
Another club you might be surprised at. Fulham don’t spend like their backed by over £1bn but credit to Mohamed Al-Fayed for running the club in a stable and safe model. It is now clear how Fulham managed to pull of a quick, late coup for £10m man Bryan Ruiz on transfer deadline day. The Michael Jackson statue clearly didn’t set him back too much!
#10. Newcastle [Net Worth of est. £1.2bn]
The last addition to the list is yet another club who doesn’t go absolutely crazy in the transfer market. The owner, Mike Ashley, has become an unpopular figure with Newcastle fans in the past but at the moment, enjoying their best start to a Premier League campaign for a considerable amount of time, those grudges have been forgotten.