Arsenal Women made a £9,000 profit in their 2019-20 accounts- there has also been a change in the way that the club has been funded, the accounts, posted on the Companies House website, reveal. In 2018-19, they made a £519,000 loss.
The director’s report for the accounts contains the following paragraph, “From the start of the financial year ended 31 May 2020, Arsenal Football Club plc has changed the way that it supports the company. Previously, Arsenal Football Club plc absorbed an element of the costs relating to the women’s team and these costs were not recharged to the Company.
“From 1st June 2019, all of the costs of running the women’s team have been charged to the Company and Arsenal Football Club plc contributes a support fee to supplement the Company’s own revenues.”
The director’s report concludes, “Arsenal Football Club plc has confirmed that it will continue to provide the company with financial support for the foreseeable future and, accordingly, the financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis.”
The thread below from Vavel’s Adam Millington sets out some of the key points, such as an increase in commercial and matchday revenue (Arsenal Women signed a commercial deal with Mastercard in the summer of 2019), increase in TV revenue and changes to the way the team is funded.
Arsenal Women's accounts for the year ended 31 May 2020 are out. Thread here with all of the information you need. Top line: the club made a £9k profit.
Let's start with this from the directors' report. Arsenal now cover the women's team's costs in a different way pic.twitter.com/qPSsL73m7k
— Adam Millington (@AdamGMillington) June 14, 2021
The change in funding can be viewed as a significant step towards self-sustainability as commercial and broadcast income continues to grow in the Women’s Super League. This also means that the accounts for the women’s team will be much clearer from now on, as player registration fees, player sale fees and commercial income are made distinct from the men’s accounts. We might even be able to see how much money Arsenal Women make from shirt printing of player’s names, for example.
Obviously, the coronavirus pandemic prevented the club from larger turnover with the WSL season cancelled in April 2020, however, matchday revenue still climbed from £58,000 to £90,000 from 2018-19 to 2019-20, broadcasting income shot up from £124,000 to £322,000 and commercial income almost doubled from £158,000 in 2018-19 to £301,000 in 2019-20.
“The operating costs accounted for by the Company amounted to £3,717,000 (2019 – £779,000). In the prior year, additional operating costs, also relating to Arsenal Women’s football activities, of £2,307,000 were borne by the company’s immediate Parent Company. The immediate Parent Company waved any right of reimbursement in respect of those additional costs and, accordingly, they were not recorded by the Company’s financial statements.”
During 2019-20 Arsenal acquired Manu Zinsberger, Jen Beattie, Leonie Maier and Jill Roord (all of their contracts had expired at their previous clubs so there was no transfer fee), Fran Stenson and Caitlin Foord. Foord’s transfer probably accounts for most of the player registration fees in the accounts as she held registration at two clubs (Sydney FC and Portland Thorns).
In the same accounting period Katrine Veje, Janni Arnth and Dominique Janssen left the club and Tabea Kemme retired. The accounts also reveal a dedicated staff of 33 at Arsenal Women- a number which has grown during the 2020-21 season, which will likely be reflected in the next set of accounts.
On the up!
Well done to them, success on the pitch leading to better financials…
And that means daddy lets me buy a new car 🤑
Good stuff. It’s a sign that some brands want to be associated with the superstars in the team (you know who they are).
Which is why it’s imperative the leadership tries their best to retain them.
I understood about 30% of that report, but it seems good to me that AWFC is independent or heading that way.
Am I right in thinking that the total operating costs of the women’s club came to about £6 million?
I probably understood about as much as you did but I would say it’s the first step on what is likely to be a slow journey to financial self-sustainability. Which is not to say they will become separate entities per se maybe just separate financial entities, which would be positive I think.
Excellent. More autonomy.
I’m trying to think about what it all means. The self-sustainability sounds like a real positive thing. It would be amazing if the team, players and league can attract enough sponsors and investors to develop the WSL and it’s teams. However, I wouldn’t want Arsenal FC, to cut back support in any way, shape or form because the women ‘should be able to do it on their own’. I doubt that’ll happen because Arsenal has shown to be behind their women and will continue to do so. When we ask the question, is this enough for the Arsenal Women to… Read more »
I think the question of stricter FFP type rules in women’s football will start to crop up in the next few years- especially if the gap between “the big three” and the rest doesn’t close. Arsenal might be positioning if they have intelligence on that.
Forgive me for being cynical but could the Kronke’s sell the Women’s side and hold onto the Men’s side?
Let’s get the girls playing at the Emirates regularly, they deserve it, I am sure the crowds will grow and financially the numbers will explode. Let’s get ahead of the game and be trailblazers!
Well there will be a lot less games there this year….
Perhaps they could add some of the Women’s games to the season ticket European match shortfall. That could boost attendances and revenues on matchdays. It would further invest people’s interest in the Women’s team and might see them willing to attend games not included. Could also be inspirational for young girls who might take up football and become future players. Just a thought.
Am told there will be a few games at the Emirates next season most likely, maybe even a pre-season game there too….
Are the Arsenal women’s team owned by KSE, and Chelsea women owned by Abramovich etc, or are they completely separate businesses?
They’re both owned by the parent companies, so Abramovic and KSE, yes.
Holy smokes! That’s a lot of dosh! Should help cover Balogun’s wages
I think the dividend payout just increased by £9k
Good to hear there was a profit but it also highlights the financial disparity when the men’s team can make millions in gains or losses.
Yes this is highlighted in the wages shown in these accounts £2.21 million (£42,500 per week) across 33 players/other personnel. How much is Willian on?
So much good publicity for so little financial input from the owners.