Overview
- Middlesbrough, which lost the Championship play-off final to Hull City at Wembley in May, missed an estimated revenue uplift of at least £210m over three seasons and as much as £365m if they had avoided relegation.
- Deloitte’s 35th Annual Review shows Championship wage costs hit a record £903m in 2024/25 and average wages-to-revenue rose to 96%, with 13 clubs reporting ratios above 100%.
- Middlesbrough recorded a £11.4m pre-tax loss for 2024/25 and continues to be supported by owner Steve Gibson to cover operating shortfalls.
- The report explains that promotion uplifts come from matchday, broadcast and commercial income and that clubs not receiving parachute payments, like Hull, stand to gain proportionally more from moving up.
- The EFL will expand the play-offs to six teams next season, which changes promotion chances and could alter how clubs budget for wages and owner support going forward.