Premier League clubs have unanimously approved a proposal to reset financial distribution within English football, pledging an extra £1.5bn for EFL clubs over the next decade. The offer, described as a "new deal for football", was backed at a meeting on Thursday and will now be presented to the EFL board for consideration.
Key details of the proposal
The 10-year plan would see an additional £1.5bn shared with EFL clubs on top of the £1.6bn currently distributed every three years to clubs and communities. Some funds will be allocated to a “lifeboat” fund for clubs in immediate crisis and an infrastructure fund. To cover the extra costs, the transfer levy applied to all Premier League deals is reportedly set to rise from 4% to 6%.
Reactions from both leagues
The Premier League said in a statement that clubs had “unanimously voted to approve a funded proposal for a new strategic partnership with the EFL” and looked forward to continuing discussions. The EFL acknowledged “constructive” talks but said their board would “review the full detail of the proposal, including its potential benefits, implications and alignment with the long-term interests of our 72 clubs”.
Background and context
This marks the first time Premier League clubs have formally agreed a proposal since being asked to increase funding five years ago. The Covid pandemic exposed financial fragility in the EFL, and in 2022 then-sports minister Nigel Huddleston said the public was “out of patience” over a failure to reach a deal. The creation of the Independent Football Regulator last year was partly driven by the belief that Premier League wealth should be shared more effectively, though the regulator has no direct role in these negotiations.
