Skip to main content
Work with the NEU
Richard Scudamore: Living wage is not the Premier League’s problem
Premier League chief exec rejects responsibility to pay staff decent wages

Premier League bigwig Richard Scudamore scoffed at the idea that clubs should pay staff the living wage yesterday after the bumper increase in the TV deal.

With the league announcing on Tuesday that it agreed a £5 billion TV deal with Sky Sports, many people hoped that some of the money would be used to subsidise fans’ ticket prices and once again raised the issue of staff being paid the living wage.

Chelsea became the first Premier League club to rightfully pay staff £7.85 per hour, £9.15 per hour in London, with Luton Town, FC United of Manchester and Hearts all currently adopting the living wage.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
Similar stories
Bayern Munich's Harry Kane with The Bundesliga Meisterschale (championship shield) at the Allianz Arena, Munich, after his side won the Bundesliga title. Picture date: Saturday May 10, 2025
Men's Football / 22 August 2025
22 August 2025

JAMES NALTON takes a look at the German league’s move to grow its audience in Britain, and around the future of football on TV in general

Auckland City's Gerard Garriga cools off under the sprinklers during a water break in the Club World Cup Group C soccer match between Auckland City and Boca Juniors in Nashville, Tenn., June 24, 2025
Men’s football / 18 July 2025
18 July 2025

With climate change, commercial overload and endless fixtures, footballers are being pushed to breaking point. It’s time their unions became a more powerful, unified force, writes JAMES NALTON

Olivia Smith, November 17, 2024
Women’s football / 17 July 2025
17 July 2025
England players celebrate with the trophy, July 31, 2022
Women’s football / 27 June 2025
27 June 2025