Women's Super League Club Earnings Increase by 60% as they Strive for Sustainability

Clubs in the Women's Super League are headed towards sustainability after seeing a 60% increase in income in one year. The combined income of WSL teams increased from £20 million to £32 million in 2021–22, according a report by Deloitte that was released on 11^th June.

In the 2021–22 season, the women's game saw huge increases in income, according to Zoe Burton, director of Deloitte's Sports Business Group.

"The Lionesses' victory at the Uefa Women's Euros is cited as a turning moment in the growth of women's football, therefore it's telling that even before this historic triumph, the Women's Super League's income had started to increase. In the 2022–2023 season, new records have already been established for attendance, viewership, and the value of commercial agreements.”

"Organisations should not be timid about the commercial opportunities available in women's football, and we are now reaching the point where clubs can seek to maximise the value associated with the women's game by unbundling revenue streams to target a specific fanbase," said a club official.

The primary factor in the boost in revenue in 2021–22 was the WSL's new, industry-first £8 million per year TV agreement. Commercial income increased as well, and it is anticipated that it will do so again this year thanks to an enhanced title sponsorship deal with Barclays.

Following the Lionesses' Euro victory last summer, spectator numbers soared from an average of 1,923 in 2021–22 to 5,616 this season as fans went to watch the team play in their home country.

In 2021–2022, salary expenditures increased 37% to £25 million, but the wages–to–revenue ratio decreased from 92% to 78%. Additionally, WSL teams recorded a pre-tax loss of $14 million as a whole, which was substantially offset by money from their larger club.

Concerns about a two-tier league were raised since four clubs—Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Manchester City—accounted over 70% of WSL teams' income.

Tim Bridge, senior partner for Deloitte's Sports Business Group, stated: "As leagues, clubs, and partners look to capitalise on the growth tailwinds of women's football, ensuring sustainable growth as well as competitive balance across leagues will be critical."

"Change is afoot in England to help with this, with the Future of Women's Football Review laying the groundwork for expansion in the top-tier women's game.”

The financial viability of new laws, which carefully evaluate investment incentives together with competitive balance across the women's game, is crucial in any league that is expanding.