Even if the Premier League returns to action this season, its clubs will have to refund millions of dollars to broadcast partners like Sky, BT Sport and Amazon after Manchester United confirmed it expects to pay a $24.5 million rebate on broadcast rights.
The EPL’s 20 teams, depending on how often they play on television, owe a collective $367 million. That figure could double if the Premier League can’t play out the season’s remaining 92 games.
The Premier League largely takes broadcast rights fees up front, and the league’s current domestic partners paid a combined $6.1 billion for the rights last year. Overseas broadcasters spent an additional $5.1 billion, including $250 million from NBC Sports to show games in the U.S.
Returning broadcast money represents by far the largest effect of the pandemic on clubs; United said rebates will account for 87% of negative impact, with another $3.7 million lost in merchandise and ticket revenues.
