Figures reveal the Premier League’s elite are getting even richer

When Premier League chairmen meet this week for their annual summer gossip party, the most likely topic of conversation will be the continuing dominance of the Big Four, perpetuated by the ever-increasing amount of Champions League cash. In figures released this morning, it has become clear that the Champions League is now worth around double the amount it was three years ago for participating clubs.

In 2008/09, Manchester Utd earned £90m - nearly three times as much as the likes of West Brom and Middlesbrough.

Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal all earned in excess of £47m from Champions League prize and TV cash alone - more than the amount fourteen other Premiership clubs earned in total.

The rise in these figures - which do not include gate receipts and merchandise sales - can be attributed to the relative strength of the euro against the pound, an increase in TV rights payments and the English dominance of the latter stages of the competition.

Quite what the Premier League chairman will do to redistribute wealth among the Premier league is unclear, but they will almost certainly not adopt the lefty sharing scheme proposed by Culture Secretary Andy Burnham.

Check out the full list of Premiership earnings in 2008/09 after the jump…

… not going to surprise you at all

France Football yesterday released their annual list of the world’s highest earning footballers, and David Beckham has come out on top, with total earnings of €32.4m in 2008.

The England star is paid around £4m a year for his services on the pitch (a figure that is currently being covered by loan club Milan in giant novelty cheque form), but is able to afford rocket cars, solid gold mansions and lobsters stuffed with diamonds thanks to his endorsement deals with Adidas, Gilette, Pepsi, Sharpies and anyone else with enough money afford his beautiful face. Interestingly, he also receives a share of ticket and merchandise sales at the MLS club he has absolutely no desire to play for.

All the usual suspects feature in the top ten highest earners, which you can check out after the jump…