Chris Weatherspoon
@cweatherspoon.bsky.social
Football Finance Writer at The Athletic UK | Will write about money for football | Views are not someone else's
📧 cweatherspoon@theathletic.com
📧 cweatherspoon@theathletic.com
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
Fantastic piece for #SAFC fans this morning from Ahmed, explaining a key tactical reason behind Sunderland's success this season
How Sunderland's wide combinations have played a key role upon their return to the Premier League.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
How shape-shifting Sunderland are using wide combinations to chase a top-half finish (Gift Article)
The tactical flexibility of Regis Le Bris' squad is the primary reason they have readapted to Premier League life so successfully
www.nytimes.com
February 6, 2026 at 9:02 AM
Fantastic piece for #SAFC fans this morning from Ahmed, explaining a key tactical reason behind Sunderland's success this season
Reposted by Chris Weatherspoon
Leicester City breached their PSR loss limit by 25% in the three seasons ending in their 2023-24 promotion year.
They've been docked six points and sit outside the Championship bottom three on goal difference.
Analysis w/ @robtannerathletic.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
They've been docked six points and sit outside the Championship bottom three on goal difference.
Analysis w/ @robtannerathletic.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
Leicester get six-point deduction for breaching PSR – but financial woe is set to continue
The sanction was handed down by an independent commission and relates to the three-year period ending with the 2023-24 season.
www.nytimes.com
February 5, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Leicester City breached their PSR loss limit by 25% in the three seasons ending in their 2023-24 promotion year.
They've been docked six points and sit outside the Championship bottom three on goal difference.
Analysis w/ @robtannerathletic.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
They've been docked six points and sit outside the Championship bottom three on goal difference.
Analysis w/ @robtannerathletic.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
Reposted by Chris Weatherspoon
Included in that piece on @theathleticfc.bsky.social is this which, quite succinctly, helps explain how #LCFC have ended up in this mess:
February 5, 2026 at 6:16 PM
Included in that piece on @theathleticfc.bsky.social is this which, quite succinctly, helps explain how #LCFC have ended up in this mess:
Leicester City won the Premier League with the 15th-highest wage bill in England.
Got to the last eight of the Champions League with the 18th-highest wage bill in Europe.
Then went down with the highest wage bill of a relegated team in history.
How's that for bucking a trend
Got to the last eight of the Champions League with the 18th-highest wage bill in Europe.
Then went down with the highest wage bill of a relegated team in history.
How's that for bucking a trend
February 5, 2026 at 9:17 PM
Leicester City won the Premier League with the 15th-highest wage bill in England.
Got to the last eight of the Champions League with the 18th-highest wage bill in Europe.
Then went down with the highest wage bill of a relegated team in history.
How's that for bucking a trend
Got to the last eight of the Champions League with the 18th-highest wage bill in Europe.
Then went down with the highest wage bill of a relegated team in history.
How's that for bucking a trend
Leicester City breached their PSR loss limit by 25% in the three seasons ending in their 2023-24 promotion year.
They've been docked six points and sit outside the Championship bottom three on goal difference.
Analysis w/ @robtannerathletic.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
They've been docked six points and sit outside the Championship bottom three on goal difference.
Analysis w/ @robtannerathletic.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
Leicester get six-point deduction for breaching PSR – but financial woe is set to continue
The sanction was handed down by an independent commission and relates to the three-year period ending with the 2023-24 season.
www.nytimes.com
February 5, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Leicester City breached their PSR loss limit by 25% in the three seasons ending in their 2023-24 promotion year.
They've been docked six points and sit outside the Championship bottom three on goal difference.
Analysis w/ @robtannerathletic.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
They've been docked six points and sit outside the Championship bottom three on goal difference.
Analysis w/ @robtannerathletic.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...
Reposted by Chris Weatherspoon
A staggering statement from former Washington Post editor Marty Baron: "This ranks among the darkest days in the history of one of the world's greatest news organizations."
February 4, 2026 at 2:34 PM
A staggering statement from former Washington Post editor Marty Baron: "This ranks among the darkest days in the history of one of the world's greatest news organizations."
Jeremy Jacquet won't officially move to Merseyside until this summer, but confirmation he'll join on 1 July means Liverpool have agreed transfer fees worth over £50million for four different players inside a year.
How can they afford it?
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
How can they afford it?
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
How can Liverpool afford £55m on Jeremy Jacquet after £400m summer spend?
Wages are up but Arne Slot's side generated record revenues last season — they might even make a profit from an accounting point of view
www.nytimes.com
February 4, 2026 at 11:07 AM
Jeremy Jacquet won't officially move to Merseyside until this summer, but confirmation he'll join on 1 July means Liverpool have agreed transfer fees worth over £50million for four different players inside a year.
How can they afford it?
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
How can they afford it?
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
Reposted by Chris Weatherspoon
Since Burnley's December 2020 leveraged takeover they've gone from solid if unremarkable PL club with no borrowings to a (bad) yo-yo side, £113m in debt, costing £10m+ annually at rates from 8.5% to 12.75%
Over four years on, owners ALK Capital have still not filed any UK parent company accounts
Over four years on, owners ALK Capital have still not filed any UK parent company accounts
February 3, 2026 at 11:37 AM
Since Burnley's December 2020 leveraged takeover they've gone from solid if unremarkable PL club with no borrowings to a (bad) yo-yo side, £113m in debt, costing £10m+ annually at rates from 8.5% to 12.75%
Over four years on, owners ALK Capital have still not filed any UK parent company accounts
Over four years on, owners ALK Capital have still not filed any UK parent company accounts
Sixteen £50million-plus signings for Premier League clubs completed in 2025-26, collectively comprising over £1billion in fees
Number of £50m+ signings, split by club:
• Liverpool - 3
• Man Utd - 3
• Arsenal - 3
• Newcastle - 3
• Spurs - 2
• Man City - 1
• Chelsea - 1
Number of £50m+ signings, split by club:
• Liverpool - 3
• Man Utd - 3
• Arsenal - 3
• Newcastle - 3
• Spurs - 2
• Man City - 1
• Chelsea - 1
February 3, 2026 at 4:25 PM
Sixteen £50million-plus signings for Premier League clubs completed in 2025-26, collectively comprising over £1billion in fees
Number of £50m+ signings, split by club:
• Liverpool - 3
• Man Utd - 3
• Arsenal - 3
• Newcastle - 3
• Spurs - 2
• Man City - 1
• Chelsea - 1
Number of £50m+ signings, split by club:
• Liverpool - 3
• Man Utd - 3
• Arsenal - 3
• Newcastle - 3
• Spurs - 2
• Man City - 1
• Chelsea - 1
Another gluttonous month wound itself up yesterday. Amid complaints of quiet, Premier League clubs spent nearly £400m this winter
Total PL spending hit £3.5bn in 2025-26. Net figure near £1.5bn.
Analysis w/Phil Buckingham
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
[FREE TO READ]
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
Total PL spending hit £3.5bn in 2025-26. Net figure near £1.5bn.
Analysis w/Phil Buckingham
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
[FREE TO READ]
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
The Premier League window in numbers: £397m in winter, more than £3.5bn spent overall (Gift Article)
After the excess of the summer, with over £3bn spent for the first time, this was a reacquaintance with moderation for most top-flight clubs
www.nytimes.com
February 3, 2026 at 2:09 PM
Another gluttonous month wound itself up yesterday. Amid complaints of quiet, Premier League clubs spent nearly £400m this winter
Total PL spending hit £3.5bn in 2025-26. Net figure near £1.5bn.
Analysis w/Phil Buckingham
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
[FREE TO READ]
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
Total PL spending hit £3.5bn in 2025-26. Net figure near £1.5bn.
Analysis w/Phil Buckingham
@theathleticfc.bsky.social
[FREE TO READ]
www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...
Since Burnley's December 2020 leveraged takeover they've gone from solid if unremarkable PL club with no borrowings to a (bad) yo-yo side, £113m in debt, costing £10m+ annually at rates from 8.5% to 12.75%
Over four years on, owners ALK Capital have still not filed any UK parent company accounts
Over four years on, owners ALK Capital have still not filed any UK parent company accounts
February 3, 2026 at 11:37 AM
Since Burnley's December 2020 leveraged takeover they've gone from solid if unremarkable PL club with no borrowings to a (bad) yo-yo side, £113m in debt, costing £10m+ annually at rates from 8.5% to 12.75%
Over four years on, owners ALK Capital have still not filed any UK parent company accounts
Over four years on, owners ALK Capital have still not filed any UK parent company accounts
Everyone banging on about Infinite Jest lately really has been useful in reminding me that, six years and 642 pages in, it remains sat, laden with two (2) bookmarks, looming at me from a bookshelf, demanding I one day grow up and go back to it
February 3, 2026 at 8:06 AM
Everyone banging on about Infinite Jest lately really has been useful in reminding me that, six years and 642 pages in, it remains sat, laden with two (2) bookmarks, looming at me from a bookshelf, demanding I one day grow up and go back to it
Per @david-ornstein.bsky.social, Sunderland will pay initial €17.5million (£15.2m) for Nilson Angulo from Anderlecht
Takes #SAFC 2025-26 transfer spending to £177.5m. With PL levy and agents fees, likely over £200m
@theathleticfc.bsky.social deadline day live feed:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/liv...
Takes #SAFC 2025-26 transfer spending to £177.5m. With PL levy and agents fees, likely over £200m
@theathleticfc.bsky.social deadline day live feed:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/liv...
Angulo set for Sunderland medical as Adingra agrees Monaco deal
Anderlecht forward Nilson Angulo is set to undergo a medical at Sunderland, while a move for Simon Adingra to Monaco is being finalised.Sunderland and Anderlecht have agreed a a fee of €17.5million (£...
www.nytimes.com
February 2, 2026 at 2:50 PM
Per @david-ornstein.bsky.social, Sunderland will pay initial €17.5million (£15.2m) for Nilson Angulo from Anderlecht
Takes #SAFC 2025-26 transfer spending to £177.5m. With PL levy and agents fees, likely over £200m
@theathleticfc.bsky.social deadline day live feed:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/liv...
Takes #SAFC 2025-26 transfer spending to £177.5m. With PL levy and agents fees, likely over £200m
@theathleticfc.bsky.social deadline day live feed:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/liv...
Reposted by Chris Weatherspoon
🎧 So here we go. We collated your Qs re how the transfer market works & put them to representatives from clubs from around the world to get answers.
Latest special episode of @theathleticfc.bsky.social podcast
Anatomy of a Transfer: Your questions answered.
Enjoy.
podfollow.com/athletic-fc-...
Latest special episode of @theathleticfc.bsky.social podcast
Anatomy of a Transfer: Your questions answered.
Enjoy.
podfollow.com/athletic-fc-...
The Athletic FC Podcast: Anatomy of a Transfer: Your Questions Answered
Exotic clauses, tapping up and how much agents really get paid. Your questions answered is the transfer special that you control.Adam Leventhal heads to Malaga and beyond to pose your enquiries to ...
podfollow.com
February 1, 2026 at 9:11 AM
🎧 So here we go. We collated your Qs re how the transfer market works & put them to representatives from clubs from around the world to get answers.
Latest special episode of @theathleticfc.bsky.social podcast
Anatomy of a Transfer: Your questions answered.
Enjoy.
podfollow.com/athletic-fc-...
Latest special episode of @theathleticfc.bsky.social podcast
Anatomy of a Transfer: Your questions answered.
Enjoy.
podfollow.com/athletic-fc-...
It is a sign of how far Sunderland have come so quickly - and the ludicrous wealth of the Premier League - that if you stripped out last summer, the two non-first-teamers #SAFC have signed this window would be the club's 2nd and 3rd most expensive signings since 2019
February 1, 2026 at 12:57 PM
It is a sign of how far Sunderland have come so quickly - and the ludicrous wealth of the Premier League - that if you stripped out last summer, the two non-first-teamers #SAFC have signed this window would be the club's 2nd and 3rd most expensive signings since 2019
Reposted by Chris Weatherspoon
Someone might want to tell Pep who owns Man City. He'd doubtless be shocked to learn what they've done, perhaps even resign.
bsky.app/profile/scot...
bsky.app/profile/scot...
Pep Guardiola has called those in power 'cowards' for killing innocent people and for 'abandoning' children in Gaza as he gave a passionate speech in support of Palestinian
Pep Guardiola calls world leaders 'cowards' for 'abandoning' people in Gaza
www.thenational.scot
January 31, 2026 at 12:06 PM
Someone might want to tell Pep who owns Man City. He'd doubtless be shocked to learn what they've done, perhaps even resign.
bsky.app/profile/scot...
bsky.app/profile/scot...
Fascinating piece
I wrote about the Set Piece Revolution in the Premier League, why I think it's still just getting started, and my worries that it will require significant reforms to roll back www.expectinggoals.com/p/the-set-pi...
The Set Piece Revolution
The game is changing in the English Premier League.
www.expectinggoals.com
January 30, 2026 at 4:08 PM
Fascinating piece
Reposted by Chris Weatherspoon
With the league phase of the 2025-26 UEFA Europa League now over, an estimate of prize money earned by British clubs so far:
• Aston Villa €22m (£19m)
• Rangers €18m (£16m)**
• Celtic €17m (£15m)**
• Nottingham Forest €15m (£13m)
**Includes €4.3m from UCL play-off
• Aston Villa €22m (£19m)
• Rangers €18m (£16m)**
• Celtic €17m (£15m)**
• Nottingham Forest €15m (£13m)
**Includes €4.3m from UCL play-off
January 30, 2026 at 11:04 AM
With the league phase of the 2025-26 UEFA Europa League now over, an estimate of prize money earned by British clubs so far:
• Aston Villa €22m (£19m)
• Rangers €18m (£16m)**
• Celtic €17m (£15m)**
• Nottingham Forest €15m (£13m)
**Includes €4.3m from UCL play-off
• Aston Villa €22m (£19m)
• Rangers €18m (£16m)**
• Celtic €17m (£15m)**
• Nottingham Forest €15m (£13m)
**Includes €4.3m from UCL play-off
With the league phase of the 2025-26 UEFA Europa League now over, an estimate of prize money earned by British clubs so far:
• Aston Villa €22m (£19m)
• Rangers €18m (£16m)**
• Celtic €17m (£15m)**
• Nottingham Forest €15m (£13m)
**Includes €4.3m from UCL play-off
• Aston Villa €22m (£19m)
• Rangers €18m (£16m)**
• Celtic €17m (£15m)**
• Nottingham Forest €15m (£13m)
**Includes €4.3m from UCL play-off
January 30, 2026 at 11:04 AM
With the league phase of the 2025-26 UEFA Europa League now over, an estimate of prize money earned by British clubs so far:
• Aston Villa €22m (£19m)
• Rangers €18m (£16m)**
• Celtic €17m (£15m)**
• Nottingham Forest €15m (£13m)
**Includes €4.3m from UCL play-off
• Aston Villa €22m (£19m)
• Rangers €18m (£16m)**
• Celtic €17m (£15m)**
• Nottingham Forest €15m (£13m)
**Includes €4.3m from UCL play-off
Reposted by Chris Weatherspoon
With the league phase of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League now over, an estimate of prize money earned by English clubs so far:
• Liverpool €97m (£84m)
• Man City €97m (£84m)
• Arsenal €96m (£83m)
• Chelsea €92m (£80m)
• Spurs €85m (£73m)
• Newcastle €54m (£47m)
• Liverpool €97m (£84m)
• Man City €97m (£84m)
• Arsenal €96m (£83m)
• Chelsea €92m (£80m)
• Spurs €85m (£73m)
• Newcastle €54m (£47m)
January 29, 2026 at 7:23 AM
With the league phase of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League now over, an estimate of prize money earned by English clubs so far:
• Liverpool €97m (£84m)
• Man City €97m (£84m)
• Arsenal €96m (£83m)
• Chelsea €92m (£80m)
• Spurs €85m (£73m)
• Newcastle €54m (£47m)
• Liverpool €97m (£84m)
• Man City €97m (£84m)
• Arsenal €96m (£83m)
• Chelsea €92m (£80m)
• Spurs €85m (£73m)
• Newcastle €54m (£47m)
Reposted by Chris Weatherspoon
the president of the united states should not be allowed to personally loot the treasury to the sum of ten billion dollars and that this is not resulting in immediate, unanimous impeachment is a dramatic indictment of what has become of our political system
President Trump has filed a lawsuit against the IRS, in which he demands that the IRS, which he as president controls, pay him $10 billion.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
January 30, 2026 at 4:33 AM
the president of the united states should not be allowed to personally loot the treasury to the sum of ten billion dollars and that this is not resulting in immediate, unanimous impeachment is a dramatic indictment of what has become of our political system
Estimate of where €853m (£739m) 'value pillar' in 2025-26 UEFA Champions League prize money went:
• England, 6 teams: €212m (£184m)
• Spain, 5: €151m (£130m)
• Germany, 4: €140m (£121m)
• Italy, 4: €104m (£90m)
• France, 3: €92m (£79m)
• The rest, 14: €155m (£134m)
• England, 6 teams: €212m (£184m)
• Spain, 5: €151m (£130m)
• Germany, 4: €140m (£121m)
• Italy, 4: €104m (£90m)
• France, 3: €92m (£79m)
• The rest, 14: €155m (£134m)
January 29, 2026 at 3:31 PM
Estimate of where €853m (£739m) 'value pillar' in 2025-26 UEFA Champions League prize money went:
• England, 6 teams: €212m (£184m)
• Spain, 5: €151m (£130m)
• Germany, 4: €140m (£121m)
• Italy, 4: €104m (£90m)
• France, 3: €92m (£79m)
• The rest, 14: €155m (£134m)
• England, 6 teams: €212m (£184m)
• Spain, 5: €151m (£130m)
• Germany, 4: €140m (£121m)
• Italy, 4: €104m (£90m)
• France, 3: €92m (£79m)
• The rest, 14: €155m (£134m)
Reposted by Chris Weatherspoon
Of the €2.148billion (£1.860bn) of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League prize pot which can be apportioned to clubs, by my estimate, the six English clubs will receive €532m (£461m), or 25% of the total
Overall prize pot this season is €2.428bn (£2.103bn)
Overall prize pot this season is €2.428bn (£2.103bn)
January 29, 2026 at 9:21 AM
Of the €2.148billion (£1.860bn) of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League prize pot which can be apportioned to clubs, by my estimate, the six English clubs will receive €532m (£461m), or 25% of the total
Overall prize pot this season is €2.428bn (£2.103bn)
Overall prize pot this season is €2.428bn (£2.103bn)
Of the €2.148billion (£1.860bn) of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League prize pot which can be apportioned to clubs, by my estimate, the six English clubs will receive €532m (£461m), or 25% of the total
Overall prize pot this season is €2.428bn (£2.103bn)
Overall prize pot this season is €2.428bn (£2.103bn)
January 29, 2026 at 9:21 AM
Of the €2.148billion (£1.860bn) of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League prize pot which can be apportioned to clubs, by my estimate, the six English clubs will receive €532m (£461m), or 25% of the total
Overall prize pot this season is €2.428bn (£2.103bn)
Overall prize pot this season is €2.428bn (£2.103bn)
With the league phase of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League now over, an estimate of prize money earned by English clubs so far:
• Liverpool €97m (£84m)
• Man City €97m (£84m)
• Arsenal €96m (£83m)
• Chelsea €92m (£80m)
• Spurs €85m (£73m)
• Newcastle €54m (£47m)
• Liverpool €97m (£84m)
• Man City €97m (£84m)
• Arsenal €96m (£83m)
• Chelsea €92m (£80m)
• Spurs €85m (£73m)
• Newcastle €54m (£47m)
January 29, 2026 at 7:23 AM
With the league phase of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League now over, an estimate of prize money earned by English clubs so far:
• Liverpool €97m (£84m)
• Man City €97m (£84m)
• Arsenal €96m (£83m)
• Chelsea €92m (£80m)
• Spurs €85m (£73m)
• Newcastle €54m (£47m)
• Liverpool €97m (£84m)
• Man City €97m (£84m)
• Arsenal €96m (£83m)
• Chelsea €92m (£80m)
• Spurs €85m (£73m)
• Newcastle €54m (£47m)