With the Premier League having agreed improved new domestic and international television rights deals from next season, the financial gap between the Premier League and the Football League is likely to increase much further.
According to financial analyst Henk Potts, an equity strategist with Barclays Wealth, "the reality of modern football is that if you don't have access to the Premier League or the Champions League you are in a very difficult position, even with parachute payments."
"It's not going too far to suggest that relegation from the Premiership can effectively mean financial meltdown for the clubs relegated,” he added. "The main drivers financially start diminishing and therefore they need to go through a period of significant financial restructuring of the business."
"One would suspect the gulf between the Premiership and lower leagues will get bigger and bigger and it will be harder for clubs to get back in that position. So it's vital they don't let the situation deteriorate."
