19 November 2023 , 12:14
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A radical change to Premier League rules will see the so-called 'Big Six' handed an increased windfall of prize money.
Currently, the top-flight's prize money handouts work on a 1.6 to one ratio, with champions Manchester City given £161.3million last year, while bottom club Southampton picked up £100.3m as they were relegated to the Championship.
That could all change though, as club chiefs prepare to meet on Tuesday to discuss and vote on the New Deal For Football. The Big Six clubs of Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham and City have often been at odds with the 14 other teams in the league.
Those tensions look set to be inflamed with the Premier League to confirm changes to the prize money handouts. According to the Daily Telegraph, the existing structure will be ripped up.
Instead, from 2025 a new ratio of 1.8 to one will be implemented, potentially handing the Big Six tens of millions more pounds. The changes have been directed by international growth in league revenue, as well as the Consumer Prices Index.
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Insiders have insisted though that smaller teams will get a more favourable rate next season thanks to the UK's high inflation. They will still be furious at the Big Six getting a better deal though, with the trajectory of those clubs to be discussed at Tuesday's meeting.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Is it right for the Big Six's prize money to be increased? Comment below.
Big Six teams such as Arsenal are set to see their prize money increase (Getty Images)There are also disagreements over how the new solidarity system should be paid for. A deal for an extra £130m of payments to the lower leagues appears to be close, but how exactly the costs will be divided between Premier League teams is still up in the air.
The battles between the Big Six and their fellow Premier League clubs have burst into the open ever since the failed European Super League venture. Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has led the opposition to them and last year hit out at the bigger clubs stamping more authority on football.
"Most days it feels like someone, somewhere is trying to change the rules to disadvantage us. We've gone backwards. They're still getting everything they want. There was a spirit of revolution but no one has even taken a penny off them," he said in April 2022.
"For some bizarre reason, everyone feels intimidated by making any kind of positive change. We have to remember we all love football because teams like us can get here. You've got to have that, right?
"It might not be ideal for what they want to sell for television but if clubs like us don't make it then the broader interest starts to dry up. Maybe we're all stupid. Maybe we all get up every day and it's all a waste of time, we're never going to win anything, you should stay in your place.
"Well, I'm not going to do that. I don't see the point. I don't think other clubs should be prepared to do it either. It's never-ending. It really does feel like you're besieged. We've got a lot of battles coming up."