[theo_luddite]

I was referring to Prem League income, not Championship income Shep. For every side, the TV deal is the number one source of income, especially once you factor in match day fees too. The top 4 get most coverage and therefore get most income twice over, from where they finish and from TV appearances. That isn't to say that a club with 50-60,000 crowds isn't going to do better than one only getting 10,000 crowds, but even by going up and coming straight back down they are going to be anything up to £100 million better off as a starting point. Just depends on how daft they go with that first lump of £40 million when they go up in an effort to stay up.

As far as the Championship is concerned the difference in gate money is not as significant as the near £10 million parachute payment* that Wolves (Blackburn and Bolton, relegated with them) still get this season - and that total will increase substantially for relegated clubs when the details of the new deal roll through. This season is the last one these three will get it, so they are all, let's say, a little keen to get back up as otherwise they will be on the same deal as us next season. I would argue only Wolves have a higher level of support than the other two compared to us and I can't see all three of them going up. I can't see all 3 of them getting to the play-off's to be honest.

*(Each club is currently paid £24m in the first year back in the Championship, £19.2m in year two, £9.6m in year three and another £9.6m in the final year. The Prem Chairmen want to change this to 3 years when the new deal kicks in - reported last September).

This is how the Premiership pot was shared 2012-13, pretty much the same last season and it will be this season. http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/...12-13.html