Jones commits to Valiants

Jones commits to Valiants

Published May. 24, 2013 9:15 a.m. ET

Watford or Crystal Palace can still expect to receive ?120million if they are relegated from the Premier League after just one year of top-flight football.

Next Monday's Championship play-off final has been given even more importance this year due to the improved Premier League TV deal, which will see top-flight clubs pick up ?55million a year.

The new deal also increases parachute payments to relegated clubs, meaning even if the Hornets or Eagles last just one term in the league, they will still earn a sum of around ?120million.

As a result, Deloitte said the Eagles and Hornets will be playing for "the biggest financial prize in world football" at Wembley next week.

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Adam Bull, senior consultant in the Sports Business Group at Deloitte, added:

"The winners can expect a revenue increase of more than ?60million in 2013-14.

"The vast majority of this uplift, approximately ?55million, will be from broadcast income as the Premier League enters the first year of its greatly enhanced three year TV deals.

"Based on existing distribution methods, even if a club is relegated after one season in the Premier League, it will be entitled to parachute payments over the following four seasons of around ?60m."

Over the past decade 17 of the 30 promoted teams retained their top-flight status in the first year.

Bull added: "The continued increase in the value of promotion to the Premier League provides newly promoted clubs the opportunity to make strategic investment on and off the pitch.

"Inevitably, the short-term priority is usually investment in the playing side of the business, but clubs need to also look to the medium and long-term."

A sell-out crowd of 90,000 will watch the two teams face off at the national stadium on Monday afternoon.

Jones joined the Valiants in January on a short-term deal until the end of the season, but the former Sheffield Wednesday left-back has now committed himself to the Burslem club until 2015.

"Danny showed last season what he could do with some excellent performances in League Two," said Vale boss Micky Adams. "He has had League One experience with Sheffield Wednesday and this will be important next season."

Jones admits that Adams was a major factor in his decision to remain at Vale Park.

He said: "He put confidence in me from the day I signed, the way he spoke to me, and I felt part of the team. I felt wanted which is a massive thing for me.

"I have really been enjoying my football. As soon as the season finish I wanted to get it sorted out, now I can look forward to pre-season."

Jones made 16 appearances for Vale this season helping them secure their first promotion since 1994.

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