Radz Names The Sobering Financial Loss To Leeds With No Games, But Keeps His Eye On The Bigger Picture

Understandably, all Leeds United fans have greater things to worry about at this moment in time than football following the Coronavirus pandemic, but despite the postponement of the 2019/20 campaign (and the element of Sod’s Law associated to that given our place in the Championship’s top spot), sport can be a distraction and owner Andrea Radrizzani recently gave a stark warning as to what the current situation could mean for the club – and there will definitely be clubs in a far worse position than us on the financial front.

Worse things have already happened, and there could well be worse to come – but his words are quite sobering as he spoke to Sky Italia.

With games not set for a return until April 30 (and even then that seems incredibly unlikely given real life), there are naturally questions as to whether the season will restart or whether there will be a fudged conclusion (and then, what that would mean for promotions/relegations) and even this years’ television deals – but Radz didn’t play the worries down, despite remaining largely optimistic of a positive outcome.

“It’s a disaster regrettably (economic world football implications. A club like ours loses £8-10m every year to be competitive, and nobody wants to keep a business that is losing money every year. This situation is worsening our balance. By not having five home matches, we miss out on around £2.5m that are the only source of income given that we don’t have similar amounts coming in from TV rights. This aggravated epidemic is worsening this situation that is usually complicated enough.”

Admitting that conversations were ongoing with players and associations over a pay cut or deferment of wages, he rightly pointed out that there was a bigger picture at play though and it was bigger than Leeds.

“Health comes before everything else and football can wait. There is a global crisis that has hit everybody, mentally as well. The priority is to re-establish a balance and normality in the everyday life.”

Follow the advice folks, and stay safe and sensible!

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