Chris Weatherspoon
@cweatherspoon.bsky.social
Football Finance Writer at The Athletic UK | Will write about money for football | Views are not someone else's
Pinned
Some news I should probably share with you...
Delighted and not a little humbled to tell you I've joined @theathleticfc.bsky.social as their first designated Football Finance Writer
I'll be covering all things money in football, I think it's gonna be busy and I'm very excited to get going
Delighted and not a little humbled to tell you I've joined @theathleticfc.bsky.social as their first designated Football Finance Writer
I'll be covering all things money in football, I think it's gonna be busy and I'm very excited to get going
Reposted by Chris Weatherspoon
Was sent this bit of news overnight. "Irish mafia" arrested in Colombia, during Clan del Golfo raids. Eagle-eyed readers of @newyorker.com will note that Clan del Golfo has recently worked with the Kinahan group.
November 14, 2025 at 6:29 AM
Was sent this bit of news overnight. "Irish mafia" arrested in Colombia, during Clan del Golfo raids. Eagle-eyed readers of @newyorker.com will note that Clan del Golfo has recently worked with the Kinahan group.
Reposted by Chris Weatherspoon
Exclusive interview with Ross Barkley:
▪️Becoming teetotal
▪️Therapy
▪️A challenging upbringing
▪️Mental pressures and criticism
▪️Leaving Everton, Chelsea and frustrations
▪️Unai Emery’s “No bull***t”
➕More
@theathleticfc.bsky.social #AVFC
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
▪️Becoming teetotal
▪️Therapy
▪️A challenging upbringing
▪️Mental pressures and criticism
▪️Leaving Everton, Chelsea and frustrations
▪️Unai Emery’s “No bull***t”
➕More
@theathleticfc.bsky.social #AVFC
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Ross Barkley interview: ‘I haven’t drunk since the summer. It created situations I don’t want anymore’
In a wide-ranging interview, Ross Barkley discusses the up and downs of his career from Everton to Villa and all in between
www.nytimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:46 AM
Exclusive interview with Ross Barkley:
▪️Becoming teetotal
▪️Therapy
▪️A challenging upbringing
▪️Mental pressures and criticism
▪️Leaving Everton, Chelsea and frustrations
▪️Unai Emery’s “No bull***t”
➕More
@theathleticfc.bsky.social #AVFC
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
▪️Becoming teetotal
▪️Therapy
▪️A challenging upbringing
▪️Mental pressures and criticism
▪️Leaving Everton, Chelsea and frustrations
▪️Unai Emery’s “No bull***t”
➕More
@theathleticfc.bsky.social #AVFC
www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Knew this place was a left-wing hive mind
November 9, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Knew this place was a left-wing hive mind
Reposted by Chris Weatherspoon
#NCFC loss-making for fourth year running in 2024-25. Day-to-day loss at £38m, again sixth-worst in Championship per latest figs
Pre-tax loss reduced to £21m via £23m player profits
In decade to end of 2020-21 Norwich made £31m profit. Have lost £86m in four seasons since
Pre-tax loss reduced to £21m via £23m player profits
In decade to end of 2020-21 Norwich made £31m profit. Have lost £86m in four seasons since
November 9, 2025 at 9:19 AM
#NCFC loss-making for fourth year running in 2024-25. Day-to-day loss at £38m, again sixth-worst in Championship per latest figs
Pre-tax loss reduced to £21m via £23m player profits
In decade to end of 2020-21 Norwich made £31m profit. Have lost £86m in four seasons since
Pre-tax loss reduced to £21m via £23m player profits
In decade to end of 2020-21 Norwich made £31m profit. Have lost £86m in four seasons since
Glum numbers out of Carrow Road on Friday, where 2024-25 was Norwich City's first season in six without PL status or parachute payments. Revenue fell 46% to £39m
Wages down but only by 7% to £48m. Wages to turnover at 122%, sixth-highest (worst) in Championship per latest figs
Wages down but only by 7% to £48m. Wages to turnover at 122%, sixth-highest (worst) in Championship per latest figs
November 9, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Glum numbers out of Carrow Road on Friday, where 2024-25 was Norwich City's first season in six without PL status or parachute payments. Revenue fell 46% to £39m
Wages down but only by 7% to £48m. Wages to turnover at 122%, sixth-highest (worst) in Championship per latest figs
Wages down but only by 7% to £48m. Wages to turnover at 122%, sixth-highest (worst) in Championship per latest figs
Reposted by Chris Weatherspoon
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 6, 2025 at 9:00 PM
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
Reposted by Chris Weatherspoon
It is 18th v 17th tomorrow as West Ham United host Burnley. A home win could lift the Hammers out of the bottom three.
But West Ham will remain in a relegation battle.
How would their finances be impacted if they went down this season?
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
But West Ham will remain in a relegation battle.
How would their finances be impacted if they went down this season?
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
West Ham and the financial impact of relegation
West Ham are in the relegation zone and will be hoping to avoid dropping into the Championship this season
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:55 AM
It is 18th v 17th tomorrow as West Ham United host Burnley. A home win could lift the Hammers out of the bottom three.
But West Ham will remain in a relegation battle.
How would their finances be impacted if they went down this season?
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
But West Ham will remain in a relegation battle.
How would their finances be impacted if they went down this season?
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
It is 18th v 17th tomorrow as West Ham United host Burnley. A home win could lift the Hammers out of the bottom three.
But West Ham will remain in a relegation battle.
How would their finances be impacted if they went down this season?
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
But West Ham will remain in a relegation battle.
How would their finances be impacted if they went down this season?
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
West Ham and the financial impact of relegation
West Ham are in the relegation zone and will be hoping to avoid dropping into the Championship this season
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:55 AM
It is 18th v 17th tomorrow as West Ham United host Burnley. A home win could lift the Hammers out of the bottom three.
But West Ham will remain in a relegation battle.
How would their finances be impacted if they went down this season?
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
But West Ham will remain in a relegation battle.
How would their finances be impacted if they went down this season?
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
Reposted by Chris Weatherspoon
Sunderland. Arsenal. Xhaka.
An interview as they all come together. www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
An interview as they all come together. www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
Sunderland. Arsenal. Xhaka. ‘It was the worst day of my life. It was the best day of my life’
The Sunderland captain talks leadership, Arteta, Arsenal, the day he was booed off at the Emirates and his new side's aspirations
www.nytimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:08 AM
Sunderland. Arsenal. Xhaka.
An interview as they all come together. www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
An interview as they all come together. www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...
Qarabag now have a point against Chelsea to go alongside wins over Benfica and København in this season's Champions League.
For an idea of how much the Azerbaijani side are punching above their weight, here are their recent wage bills in comparison to those they've taken points from
For an idea of how much the Azerbaijani side are punching above their weight, here are their recent wage bills in comparison to those they've taken points from
November 5, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Qarabag now have a point against Chelsea to go alongside wins over Benfica and København in this season's Champions League.
For an idea of how much the Azerbaijani side are punching above their weight, here are their recent wage bills in comparison to those they've taken points from
For an idea of how much the Azerbaijani side are punching above their weight, here are their recent wage bills in comparison to those they've taken points from
Barcelona have been through years of wasteful mismanagement, but the context surrounding the club and how it is member-owned is important.
Abroad, they are competing with billionaires and nation-states.
An extract from my deep dive into Barca finances:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
Abroad, they are competing with billionaires and nation-states.
An extract from my deep dive into Barca finances:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
November 4, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Barcelona have been through years of wasteful mismanagement, but the context surrounding the club and how it is member-owned is important.
Abroad, they are competing with billionaires and nation-states.
An extract from my deep dive into Barca finances:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
Abroad, they are competing with billionaires and nation-states.
An extract from my deep dive into Barca finances:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
Before getting into the intricacies of Derby County's 2024-25 financials, only right to congratulate them on an absolutely stellar front page for the annual report
November 4, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Before getting into the intricacies of Derby County's 2024-25 financials, only right to congratulate them on an absolutely stellar front page for the annual report
Reposted by Chris Weatherspoon
In 2021, FC Barcelona posted a €555m loss, the worst (known) financial result of a football club. Ever.
The road back has been winding - and ongoing.
Today our BookKeeper series casts its eye over the dizzying off-field world of Barca:
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
The road back has been winding - and ongoing.
Today our BookKeeper series casts its eye over the dizzying off-field world of Barca:
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
The BookKeeper: Exploring the dizzying world of Barcelona’s finances, levers and debts
Step inside the fascinating story of Barcelona's money problems, told like never before in the latest edition of The BookKeeper
www.nytimes.com
November 3, 2025 at 8:32 AM
In 2021, FC Barcelona posted a €555m loss, the worst (known) financial result of a football club. Ever.
The road back has been winding - and ongoing.
Today our BookKeeper series casts its eye over the dizzying off-field world of Barca:
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
The road back has been winding - and ongoing.
Today our BookKeeper series casts its eye over the dizzying off-field world of Barca:
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
Late afternoon bump for this: a very in-depth look at all things Barca
In 2021, FC Barcelona posted a €555m loss, the worst (known) financial result of a football club. Ever.
The road back has been winding - and ongoing.
Today our BookKeeper series casts its eye over the dizzying off-field world of Barca:
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
The road back has been winding - and ongoing.
Today our BookKeeper series casts its eye over the dizzying off-field world of Barca:
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
The BookKeeper: Exploring the dizzying world of Barcelona’s finances, levers and debts
Step inside the fascinating story of Barcelona's money problems, told like never before in the latest edition of The BookKeeper
www.nytimes.com
November 3, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Late afternoon bump for this: a very in-depth look at all things Barca
Reposted by Chris Weatherspoon
In 2021, Barcelona recorded the biggest loss for a football club, ever: €555.4m.
Today, they still have the deepest debt in the world game: €1.45bn.
Here, in @cweatherspoon.bsky.social's Special Report, is the full details of the levers, the salary limits and the annual registration drama.
Today, they still have the deepest debt in the world game: €1.45bn.
Here, in @cweatherspoon.bsky.social's Special Report, is the full details of the levers, the salary limits and the annual registration drama.
The BookKeeper: Exploring the dizzying world of Barcelona’s finances, levers and debts
Step inside the fascinating story of Barcelona's money problems, told like never before in the latest edition of The BookKeeper
www.nytimes.com
November 3, 2025 at 12:02 PM
In 2021, Barcelona recorded the biggest loss for a football club, ever: €555.4m.
Today, they still have the deepest debt in the world game: €1.45bn.
Here, in @cweatherspoon.bsky.social's Special Report, is the full details of the levers, the salary limits and the annual registration drama.
Today, they still have the deepest debt in the world game: €1.45bn.
Here, in @cweatherspoon.bsky.social's Special Report, is the full details of the levers, the salary limits and the annual registration drama.
Premier League TV picks to January 8 now out, covering the first 21 matchweeks of the season.
141 games now picked for live broadcast, around 52 per cent of the 2025-26 season total.
Here's how those picks break down by club, inc. estimate of 'TV facility' earnings:
141 games now picked for live broadcast, around 52 per cent of the 2025-26 season total.
Here's how those picks break down by club, inc. estimate of 'TV facility' earnings:
November 3, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Premier League TV picks to January 8 now out, covering the first 21 matchweeks of the season.
141 games now picked for live broadcast, around 52 per cent of the 2025-26 season total.
Here's how those picks break down by club, inc. estimate of 'TV facility' earnings:
141 games now picked for live broadcast, around 52 per cent of the 2025-26 season total.
Here's how those picks break down by club, inc. estimate of 'TV facility' earnings:
In 2021, FC Barcelona posted a €555m loss, the worst (known) financial result of a football club. Ever.
The road back has been winding - and ongoing.
Today our BookKeeper series casts its eye over the dizzying off-field world of Barca:
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
The road back has been winding - and ongoing.
Today our BookKeeper series casts its eye over the dizzying off-field world of Barca:
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
The BookKeeper: Exploring the dizzying world of Barcelona’s finances, levers and debts
Step inside the fascinating story of Barcelona's money problems, told like never before in the latest edition of The BookKeeper
www.nytimes.com
November 3, 2025 at 8:32 AM
In 2021, FC Barcelona posted a €555m loss, the worst (known) financial result of a football club. Ever.
The road back has been winding - and ongoing.
Today our BookKeeper series casts its eye over the dizzying off-field world of Barca:
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
The road back has been winding - and ongoing.
Today our BookKeeper series casts its eye over the dizzying off-field world of Barca:
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
Reposted by Chris Weatherspoon
PSG announced record €837m revenue on Tuesday, but of greater note was the wage bill in their 2024-25 UCL-winning year, down 18% to €543m
Wages are down €186m from 21-22 high (Mbappe, Messi, Neymar) - yet last season was still the sixth-highest wage bill in European football history
Wages are down €186m from 21-22 high (Mbappe, Messi, Neymar) - yet last season was still the sixth-highest wage bill in European football history
October 31, 2025 at 8:39 AM
PSG announced record €837m revenue on Tuesday, but of greater note was the wage bill in their 2024-25 UCL-winning year, down 18% to €543m
Wages are down €186m from 21-22 high (Mbappe, Messi, Neymar) - yet last season was still the sixth-highest wage bill in European football history
Wages are down €186m from 21-22 high (Mbappe, Messi, Neymar) - yet last season was still the sixth-highest wage bill in European football history
Reposted by Chris Weatherspoon
This is absolutely fascinating: you can put your postcode in and see relative levels of deprivation (and the opposite) where you live in detail. I live where I grew up, so I could spend days doing this as I know the town so well. www.ft.com/content/9a1c... Huge congrats to @amyborrett.ft.com et al.
Interactive: explore England’s new deprivation map
Data analysis reveals ‘cheek by jowl’ inequalities in first study of country’s disadvantaged areas since pandemic
www.ft.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:21 AM
This is absolutely fascinating: you can put your postcode in and see relative levels of deprivation (and the opposite) where you live in detail. I live where I grew up, so I could spend days doing this as I know the town so well. www.ft.com/content/9a1c... Huge congrats to @amyborrett.ft.com et al.
PSG announced record €837m revenue on Tuesday, but of greater note was the wage bill in their 2024-25 UCL-winning year, down 18% to €543m
Wages are down €186m from 21-22 high (Mbappe, Messi, Neymar) - yet last season was still the sixth-highest wage bill in European football history
Wages are down €186m from 21-22 high (Mbappe, Messi, Neymar) - yet last season was still the sixth-highest wage bill in European football history
October 31, 2025 at 8:39 AM
PSG announced record €837m revenue on Tuesday, but of greater note was the wage bill in their 2024-25 UCL-winning year, down 18% to €543m
Wages are down €186m from 21-22 high (Mbappe, Messi, Neymar) - yet last season was still the sixth-highest wage bill in European football history
Wages are down €186m from 21-22 high (Mbappe, Messi, Neymar) - yet last season was still the sixth-highest wage bill in European football history
Real Madrid want to sue UEFA for €4.5bn over the ill-fated European Super League.
Which is quite awkward, because Real Madrid have received around €500m from UEFA since launching the ill-fated European Super League.
w/@mjslater.bsky.social & Mario Cortegana
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
Which is quite awkward, because Real Madrid have received around €500m from UEFA since launching the ill-fated European Super League.
w/@mjslater.bsky.social & Mario Cortegana
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
Will Real Madrid really sue UEFA for €4.5bn over the European Super League?
The Spanish club say they will take legal action against European football's governing body over their failed Super League project
www.nytimes.com
October 30, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Real Madrid want to sue UEFA for €4.5bn over the ill-fated European Super League.
Which is quite awkward, because Real Madrid have received around €500m from UEFA since launching the ill-fated European Super League.
w/@mjslater.bsky.social & Mario Cortegana
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
Which is quite awkward, because Real Madrid have received around €500m from UEFA since launching the ill-fated European Super League.
w/@mjslater.bsky.social & Mario Cortegana
www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
Reposted by Chris Weatherspoon
Four years ago today, Sunderland lost 5-1 at Rotherham United in L1. Now, they've beaten 'world champions' (I know) and sit fourth in PL
#SAFC are a big deal again. All discussed on @theathleticfc.bsky.social pod
w/
@aakinwo.bsky.social
@philhay.bsky.social
@sebsb.bsky.social
🎧: t.co/Gj5ykfzhCe
#SAFC are a big deal again. All discussed on @theathleticfc.bsky.social pod
w/
@aakinwo.bsky.social
@philhay.bsky.social
@sebsb.bsky.social
🎧: t.co/Gj5ykfzhCe
https://pod.fo/e/346ab1
t.co
October 30, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Four years ago today, Sunderland lost 5-1 at Rotherham United in L1. Now, they've beaten 'world champions' (I know) and sit fourth in PL
#SAFC are a big deal again. All discussed on @theathleticfc.bsky.social pod
w/
@aakinwo.bsky.social
@philhay.bsky.social
@sebsb.bsky.social
🎧: t.co/Gj5ykfzhCe
#SAFC are a big deal again. All discussed on @theathleticfc.bsky.social pod
w/
@aakinwo.bsky.social
@philhay.bsky.social
@sebsb.bsky.social
🎧: t.co/Gj5ykfzhCe
Reposted by Chris Weatherspoon
🚨 🆕 analysis w/ @turnbulldugarte.com: most British young men reject the far right @ukandeu.bsky.social Despite media claims, 71% of young men & 75% of young women say they’d never vote Reform UK. The gender gap exists, but it’s steady across ages—not youth-driven.
🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/most-british...
🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/most-british...
Most British young men reject the far right - UK in a changing Europe
Emilia Belknap and Stuart Turnbull-Dugarte explain their analysis on the demographics of Reform UK voters in the UK. They argue that while the dominant narrative is that young men are the most likely ...
ukandeu.ac.uk
October 30, 2025 at 10:53 AM
🚨 🆕 analysis w/ @turnbulldugarte.com: most British young men reject the far right @ukandeu.bsky.social Despite media claims, 71% of young men & 75% of young women say they’d never vote Reform UK. The gender gap exists, but it’s steady across ages—not youth-driven.
🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/most-british...
🔗 ukandeu.ac.uk/most-british...
Four years ago today, Sunderland lost 5-1 at Rotherham United in L1. Now, they've beaten 'world champions' (I know) and sit fourth in PL
#SAFC are a big deal again. All discussed on @theathleticfc.bsky.social pod
w/
@aakinwo.bsky.social
@philhay.bsky.social
@sebsb.bsky.social
🎧: t.co/Gj5ykfzhCe
#SAFC are a big deal again. All discussed on @theathleticfc.bsky.social pod
w/
@aakinwo.bsky.social
@philhay.bsky.social
@sebsb.bsky.social
🎧: t.co/Gj5ykfzhCe
https://pod.fo/e/346ab1
t.co
October 30, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Four years ago today, Sunderland lost 5-1 at Rotherham United in L1. Now, they've beaten 'world champions' (I know) and sit fourth in PL
#SAFC are a big deal again. All discussed on @theathleticfc.bsky.social pod
w/
@aakinwo.bsky.social
@philhay.bsky.social
@sebsb.bsky.social
🎧: t.co/Gj5ykfzhCe
#SAFC are a big deal again. All discussed on @theathleticfc.bsky.social pod
w/
@aakinwo.bsky.social
@philhay.bsky.social
@sebsb.bsky.social
🎧: t.co/Gj5ykfzhCe
Reposted by Chris Weatherspoon
This really is the pits. This is not a design that — whatever you think of them — Saudi Arabia, the organisers of the 2034 World Cup have anything to do with. Has popped up randomly on social, caught fire and now pushed for attention by the Mail. Pathetic business.
October 28, 2025 at 5:32 PM
This really is the pits. This is not a design that — whatever you think of them — Saudi Arabia, the organisers of the 2034 World Cup have anything to do with. Has popped up randomly on social, caught fire and now pushed for attention by the Mail. Pathetic business.