The Championship play-off is known as the 'richest game in football', with the winner promoted to the Premier League and enjoying the many subsequent financial benefits. After beating Sheffield United at Wembley, Sunderland will reap the rewards of playing in the English top flight next season.
However, many Premier League teams may well have been rooting for the Blades. After all, they are set to lose out on a total of £39m with the Black Cats promoted instead.
Chris Wilder's men actually grabbed the lead in the 25th minute through Tyrese Campbell, but Eliezer Mayenda hit an equaliser in the 76th minute. Tom Watson would then make himself a hero on the day as he his the winner in the 95th minute, sending Sunderland back up into the Premier League.
Premier League Teams Lose £39m
All related to Parachute Payments
Speaking ahead of the game, financial expert Kieran Maguire revealed why Premier League teams would have been better off with Sheffield United earning promotion. He explained on social media:
"Under Premier League rules, clubs are entitled to three years of Parachute Payments when they are relegated to the Championship, although this is restricted to two years if they had previously been promoted and were immediately relegated. The parachute payments are calculated as being 55%, 45% and 20% respectively of the equal share elements of the Premier League distribution to its member clubs. This works out as £48m, £39m and £17m for the relegated clubs over a three year period."
He then added that Sheffield United's £39m would have been void if they'd made it to the Premier League. As such, that money would be split up among the teams in the top-flight, with the fee working out a £1.95m per team.
Maguire added:
"If a relegated club is then immediately promoted, then the parachute payments it was due to receive [£39m in this case] are retained by the Premier League and given to its own clubs."
That might not seem like much, but considering Manchester United just had to pay Adidas a £10m penalty fee after losing the Europa League final, and with owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe coming up with all sorts of ill-advised money-saving schemes, the Red Devils will be gutted to lose out on £2m.
Sunderland's Jobe Bellingham celebrates after Eliezer Mayenda scores their first goal Related
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