Just over a week ago, a plucky Sunderland side secured promotion to the Premier League with a dramatic play-off win versus Sheffield United, and the players will now net a massive bonus as an extra treat.
Sunderland went into the play-offs in horrendous form, yet managed to navigate their way past Coventry City in the semi-finals to book a place at Wembley.
On the big day, the Black Cats looked out of their depth for much of the game, but found some stability and momentum at just the right time to shock Sheffield United and clinch the win.
As Regis Le Bris prepares his players for the challenge of the Premier League and looks to acquire fresh talent in the summer transfer window, his play-off winners will be enjoying a fairly sizeable reward for their efforts this season.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
Sunderland’s Premier League prize pot
According to Alan Nixon on Patreon, Sunderland’s squad will share a massive £7.75m bonus pot between them after securing promotion to the top flight.
Had the Black Cats won the league, they would have had £8m to share, so it’s interesting to hear that they only missed out on a meagre £250,000 for doing things the hard way — the Championship play-off prize fund obviously helps to offset that hassle quite substantially.
The money is handed out on a pro-rata basis determined by the number of games players featured in and what role they played. Shares are given for starters (four), substitutes (two), and non-playing subs (one).
With this in mind, it is revealed that Dan Neil, who’s linked with a move to Roma this weekend, will be top of the pile with earnings of more than £500,000.
Luke O’Nien was crowned a Sunderland legend this week, and he will also bag around £500,000 as reward for his 48 appearances this term.
Meanwhile, the likes of Chris Rigg will come away with a healthy bonus, too, thought to be in the region of £300,000 after tax. Many others, like Jobe Bellingham, will be pushing close to that half a million mark.
Sunderland players are reaping a massive reward in comparison to teams of previous years, and it far eclipses the League One prize given to Charlton Athletic players this summer, who will receive just £750,000 to share between them.
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Can Sunderland survive in the Premier League?
Sunderland are under no illusions as to the challenge that lies ahead now. Patrick Roberts knows it will be tough in the Premier League, but fancies the Black Cats’ chances of success.
We asked football fans across the EFL to debate Sunderland’s fate next season, and they predicted the Mackems will go down fighting but still face relegation.
However, we also know Le Bris will be given a big budget to work with this summer, which will help his chances significantly.
It will be fascinating to watch Sunderland in the Premier League. They’re a very different proposition to the teams we’ve seen promoted in recent years, and will bring spirit, fight, and a massive following with them next season.
With those factors behind them, they’ve got every chance.