Historic Premier League Season Closes As U.S. Influence Expands

The English Premier League season ended with a record performance from Manchester City on Sunday, becoming the first club to win the title four years in a row. That first-place finish comes with a nice bonus this year, too. Man City can expect to receive roughly $79 million from the EPL’s system of merit payments, according to The Athletic.

An American Affair

Man City, which is owned by the Abu Dhabi–based City Football Group, had some strong competition throughout the season from several clubs owned by notable American businesspeople and owners of U.S.-based sports franchises. Here’s how EPL clubs with significant U.S. investors ended in the standings:

• 2nd: Arsenal, Stan Kroenke (Rams, Nuggets, Avalanche, Mammoth)
• 3rd: Liverpool, Fenway Sports Group (Red Sox, Penguins)
• 4th: Aston Villa, Wes Edens (former Bucks co-owner)
• 6th: Chelsea, Todd Boehly (investments in Dodgers, Sparks, Lakers)
• 8th: Manchester United, Glazer family (Buccaneers)
• 10th: Crystal Palace, John Textor (multiclub portfolio Eagle Football Holdings)
• 12th: Bournemouth, Bill Foley (Golden Knights)
• 13th: Fulham, Shad Khan (Jaguars)
• 19th: Burnley, New York–based ALK Capital

Everton, which is currently going through a rocky takeover attempt by Miami-based firm 777 Partners, finished 15th.

Next Up

This weekend, Leeds United, the club controlled by the same group that owns the NFL’s 49ers, will face Southampton in a winner-take-all playoff match to earn the final promotion slot into the EPL next season. Leicester City and Ipswich Town have already secured the other two coveted spots, which can be worth roughly $200 million each over a three-year period, for clubs that remain in the top flight.

Meanwhile, Manchester City and Manchester United will face off in the FA Cup final Saturday for the second year in a row. This year, the victorious club will earn roughly $2.5 million in prize money. 

The Dark Side

Drawing the short end of the stick and being relegated from the EPL are Luton Town, Burnley, and Sheffield United. The fall down to the second-tier EFL championship comes with a reduction of at least $100 million in revenue distribution that EPL clubs receive annually.