HomeExclusives Thu 11 July 2024 19:35, UK
Aston Villa have the ability to leapfrog Tottenham in the US market following their recent on-field success, sources have told Football Insider.
The CLV Group CEO Neil Joyce exclusively revealed to Football Insider Villa have got an "exciting" opportunity to build their brand in the US over the next year after qualifying for the Champions League next season.
Unai Emery's side booked their place in the competition after securing a fourth-place finish in the Premier League last season.
Villa have the opportunity to capitalise on their success by gaining a head-start on some of their top-flight rivals who are also looking to increase their fan engagement and monetisation in the US.
The West Midlands giants' Champions League qualification ensures they will be much more visible to American audiences once the group stage starts in September than they ever have been before.
Since qualifying for European football's premier competition in 2017, Tottenham have seen their US fanbase grow considerably in recent years, having recorded a 15 per cent year-on-year increase in that department.
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Aston Villa could tap into US market to increase revenue The CLV Group estimates there to be up to PS860million on offer to European clubs in additional revenue ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the US, Canada and Mexico.
Interest in the Premier League has soared in recent years as the most-watched league in the world continues to increase its global appeal.
The Premier League's current broadcasting deal with NBC in America is worth a reported PS2billion, which is around 20 per cent of the league's entire broadcast revenue.
Villa are one of nine top-flight clubs set to tour the US this summer, with an estimated 36.5 million American football fans believed to be undecided about which European team they want to support.
It comes at a time when Villa are looking to source new income streams, with the club's president of business Chris Heck revealing they are hoping to increase their revenue to PS400million by 2027.
The Premier League side generated PS217million of revenue in their latest 2022-23 accounts, but they reported a PS119.6million loss across the year after their wage bill soared to PS194million.
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