UK sports organization's head, Mark Bullingham, claims highest earning title with a salary of £1.3 million.
Football Association CEO's Bank-Breaking Paycheck
Mark Bullingham, the Football Association (FA) CEO, rakes in a whopping £1.32 million a year, making him the UK's top-earning sports governing body boss. His hefty remuneration package, announced for the period ending July 2024, surged a staggering 55% compared to the previous year [1][2][3].
A chunky £450,000 of this mega-bucks is part of a long-term incentive plan. Interestingly, this figure exceeded RFU chief Bill Sweeney's £1.1m salary last year, sparking a furor within the sports sphere that culminated in a vote of no confidence in March [4].
Unlike Sweeney, Bullingham oversaw a lucrative year for the FA. The group boasted a profit after tax of £49.7m, a rise driven by a £69.4m uptick in turnover to £551.2m. The cosmic increase in revenue can be attributed to more England games at Wembley, the scheduling quirks of the Qatar 2022 World Cup notwithstanding [2].
The FA also pocketed substantial revenue from hosting the Champions League final and Taylor Swift's Eras tour at the national stadium [2]. England's run in the men's Euro 2024 and the Women's World Cup trophy race in 2023 further swelled the coffers [2].
Bullingham's LTIP largesse was based on his and the FA's performance over a two-year period. The scheme shelled out a total of £1m to senior management [5].
"Our remuneration policy is designed to attract, retain, and motivate executive directors to deliver the business strategy," reads the FA's report. It goes on to explain that remuneration packages for senior positions incorporate performance measures linked to the business plan and individual performance criteria [5].
Citing external advice, the FA designed a cash-based scheme for an initial two-year period, based on common financial and strategic objectives [5]. The Committee approved the vesting outcomes in July 2024, and the total liability for the scheme amounted to £1m, which was settled in cash in September 2024 [5].
Critics may argue that Bullingham's compensation is excessive, but the FA's financial success under his leadership provides a strong case for justifying his high salary [1][3].
- Despite the controversy surrounding his hefty salary, Mark Bullingham's income as FA CEO significantly increased by 55%, making him the top-earning sports governing body boss in the UK in 2022.
- The FA's success in 2022, with a profit after tax of £49.7m and a turnover of £551.2m, contributed to Bullingham's long-term incentive plan (LTIP), which granted him a chunky £450,000.
- The LTIP, which totaled £1m for senior management, was based on the FA's performance over a two-year period, and was designed to attract, retain, and motivate executive directors to deliver the business strategy.
- The FA's financial success can be attributed to more England games at Wembley, hosting the Champions League final and Taylor Swift's Eras tour at the national stadium, as well as England's run in the men's Euro 2024 and the Women's World Cup trophy race in 2023.
- Critics may argue that Bullingham's compensation is excessive, but the FA's financial success under his leadership provides a strong case for justifying his high salary.
- In the realm of European leagues and the premier league, the FA's financial and strategic objectives for 2022 are considered typical of successful business entities in the sports industry.
