Aston Villa will look to improve their £16million matchday revenue after appointing a new Head of Business Operations.
That is the view of finance expert Kieran Maguire, who spoke exclusively to Football Insider about the potential to improve revenues at Villa Park.
As reported by The Athletic (May 9), Villa are set to hire former Philadelphia 76ers president Chris Heck in a Head of Business Operations role.
Club owner Wes Edens reportedly pushed for the deal having been impressed by Heck’s work with the NBA franchise commercially.
Heck previously worked in football during a two-year spell as New York Red Bulls’ president of business operations from 2011-13.
He will join the senior management structure at Villa Park ready for the 2023/24 season.
Maguire believes one of Heck’s top priorities will be increasing the matchday revenue earned at Villa Park each season.
“Aston Villa’s motivations for this appointment are monetisation,” Maguire told Football Insider.
“Americans see the amount of money that football clubs are generating from matchday revenues in particular and they are appalled.
“Considering that Birmingham is the second-biggest city in the country, the club are generating a measly £16m a year from Villa Park.
“In comparison, Man United are making £110million despite Old Trafford not even being twice the size of Villa Park.
“Wes Edens and Nassef Sawiris will be looking to emulate a club that is more sustainable.
“There is a natural ceiling that is limited by on-pitch success, but matchday income is an area they will want to improve.
“They have lower matchday income than Leicester and Southampton so they will consider it a critical area to address.“
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By: Kieran Maguire
Title: Kieran Maguire makes ‘£110m’ Aston Villa claim as behind-the-scenes deal agreed
Sourced From: www.footballinsider247.com/kieran-maguire-makes-110m-aston-villa-claim-as-behind-the-scenes-deal-agreed/
Published Date: Tue, 23 May 2023 13:01:49 +0000
