Man City sponsorship case could have cost rivals about £799.5m, BBC finds
October 13, 2026 10:20
BBC Sport has calculated that Manchester City's inflated sponsorship income and related expenses could have altered the distribution of prize money and competition places across the Premier League between 2009 and 2018. The broadcaster says the full impact on other clubs can be quantified at around £799.5m.
THE FINDINGS IN CONTEXT
According to the BBC, Manchester City inflated sponsorship revenues by about £830m and recorded a further £90m in related expenses. Separately, the analysis states City gained roughly £1.17bn under the arrangements described by the Premier League's independent commission as a “disguised funding scheme.” Thirty-five other clubs played in the top flight during the 2009–2018 period and, the BBC says, each could in some way claim to have been financially affected.
Why it matters now
The BBC notes the possible consequences extend beyond prize money: the analysis highlights potential effects on Champions League qualification, relegation outcomes and Premier League place payments. The article stresses it is not asserting any single club would definitely have finished in a different position; rather, it explores the chances that a materially different City squad — absent the disputed funding — would have changed results and payments.
HOW THE BBC CALCULATED IT
- For Premier League place money, teams finishing below City are considered to have potentially missed the payment for one higher place.
- For relegation, the calculation uses the minimum value of being in the Premier League the following season minus the parachute payment actually received.
- For the Champions League, the BBC compared City’s earnings in the relevant seasons with the Europa League prize money that would have been earned by the teams they displaced.
ADDITIONAL CONTEXT
Sheikh Mansour bought Manchester City in 2008; the BBC piece notes City finished fifth in 2009–10 and, from that point on, had not finished outside the top four. Manchester City continue to deny any wrongdoing and have appealed the Premier League’s findings.