Top > Sport > 2006 > April > 2006-04-14

Manchester United is No Longer Richest FC

The "Football Money League" reports that Manchester United is no longer the richest soccer club in the world, and that the new title owner is Real Madrid FC. This is the first time Real has taken the title from red Untied. "Football Money League," is an independent report released every season, and United was ranked richest soccer club in the world since the report began nine years age.

Real Madrid increased its revenue by 17 percent to $328 million for the 2004-05 season despite going a second straight year without a major trophy. United earned $293 million in the same period. AC Milan was third with $279 million, followed by Italian champion Juventus with $273 million and English champion Chelsea at $263 million.

?The mainstay of Real?s revenue growth is not match-day revenues, as we have seen in many of the UK clubs, or broadcasting revenue, as we have seen ? and continue to see ? in Italy, but strong progress in realizing their commercial potential,? the report said. Madrid?s revenue doubled in four years despite increasingly poor performances. It was second in last year?s Spanish league and was eliminated from the Champions League at the first knockout stage.