Real Madrid, Barcelona retain grip on earnings league

EUROPE'S BIG FIVE LEAGUES

In total, the earnings of the 20 clubs rose 10 percent to 4.8 billion euros in 2011-12, underlining how top European teams are still commanding big fees from pay TV companies and corporate sponsors despite a tough economic climate.

The leading 20 clubs accounted for more than a quarter of all revenues in the European soccer market, illustrating the gulf between rich and poor in the sport.

Deloitte reviews soccer clubs around the globe but all the clubs in the top 20 were drawn from just five European leagues. England's Premier League, the world's richest thanks to its domestic and international TV deals, is home to seven of the 20.

AC Milan, owned by former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, were the highest ranked of five Italian clubs, while Germany supplied four teams and France two.

English champions Manchester City, bankrolled by cash from Abu Dhabi, showed the strongest revenue growth after winning the English league for the first time in 44 years. City's earnings were bolstered by an enhanced sponsorship agreement with Etihad Airways.

Despite their higher revenues, City still lost almost 100 million pounds ($159 million) last season.

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