Promotion race to the Premier League heats up with Leeds, Burnley and Sheffield United chasing $180 million prize under American ownership
Soror Shaiza | Apr 10, 2025, 23:45 IST
( Image credit : AP )
With just five games to go, the Championship promotion race is more than just a football story—it’s a high-stakes battle with a $180 million windfall on the line. Leeds, Burnley and Sheffield United, all under U.S. ownership, are locked in a fierce three-way fight for two automatic spots in the Premier League. The loser risks a trip to the playoffs and all the chaos that comes with it. With form slipping and pressure mounting, the final stretch promises drama, dollars, and a dash of transatlantic influence.
Three clubs, two spots, one massive prize
Leeds, Burnley and Sheffield United are separated by just two points as the Championship season heads into its final five rounds. Two of these clubs will earn automatic promotion to the Premier League, securing a financial boost estimated at $180 million through matchday, broadcasting, and commercial revenue. The third club, however, will be forced into the unpredictable playoff gauntlet.
For Burnley and Sheffield United, promotion would mark a quick return to the top flight after only a one-season dip. Leeds, meanwhile, is in its second consecutive year in the Championship following relegation in 2023. All three teams are part of a broader group of “yo-yo” clubs—like Norwich, West Brom and Southampton—that frequently bounce between England’s top two tiers.
Whoever claims promotion will join an expanding list of Premier League clubs under American control, a group that already includes Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United, among others.
Leeds United: Ambition tested by late-season nerves
Currently top of the table with 85 points, Leeds United has the highest profile and deepest history of the promotion contenders. The club is owned by the San Francisco-based 49ers Enterprises, whose backers include U.S. golf stars Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas. Red Bull also acquired a minority stake last year, adding a global brand to the club’s growing business portfolio.
But ambition alone won’t win promotion. Leeds is showing worrying signs of a repeat collapse. They’ve won just two of their last seven matches, allowing Burnley and Sheffield United to close the gap. Last year, a similar stumble cost them automatic promotion, and they lost the playoff final to Southampton.
The team, managed by Daniel Farke, will look to steady itself quickly, starting with Saturday’s home match against Preston. Leeds has never won promotion via the playoffs in six previous attempts—so avoiding that route is crucial.
Burnley: Defensive strength backed by American investment
Also on 85 points but trailing Leeds on goal difference, Burnley is majority-owned by ALK Capital, an investment group led by U.S. businessman Alan Pace. Former NFL star J.J. Watt is also among the club’s shareholders, further adding to its American ties.
Burnley has been defensively dominant this season, keeping a staggering 29 clean sheets in 41 league games. Between late December and February, they went 12 matches without conceding—a second-tier record. Under manager Scott Parker, the team has developed a rugged, resilient identity that could prove decisive in the final stretch.
A pivotal fixture awaits on April 21, when Burnley hosts third-place Sheffield United in what could be a promotion decider. First, they face Norwich at home this Friday.
Sheffield United: The outsiders closing fast despite setbacks
Sitting just two points behind on 83, Sheffield United has had a turbulent season but remains firmly in contention. The club started the campaign with a two-point deduction for defaulting on transfer payments during its last promotion run. That penalty could prove costly, as it’s all that separates them from the automatic spots.
New American ownership arrived in December, when the COH Sports consortium led by Steven Rosen and Helmy Eltoukhy completed their takeover, ending Prince Abdullah’s five-year reign. The transition has brought fresh energy but also late-season inconsistency, with recent back-to-back losses to Oxford and Millwall.
Sheffield United will be looking to bounce back this Saturday against bottom-placed Plymouth. With the Burnley clash looming, their path to promotion is narrow—but still navigable.
The playoff wildcards and what’s at stake
While Leeds, Burnley and Sheffield United battle for the top two spots, the playoff picture is also beginning to solidify. Sunderland, seven points off third, has secured a playoff place and could yet cause trouble. Bristol City and Coventry currently hold the remaining playoff positions, with Middlesbrough just two points behind and hoping to sneak in.
With only one playoff winner able to secure promotion, finishing in the top two is clearly the safer—and richer—route. For these American-owned clubs, the race isn’t just about silverware. It’s about stakes, strategy, and the $180 million promise of Premier League football.
Leeds, Burnley and Sheffield United are separated by just two points as the Championship season heads into its final five rounds. Two of these clubs will earn automatic promotion to the Premier League, securing a financial boost estimated at $180 million through matchday, broadcasting, and commercial revenue. The third club, however, will be forced into the unpredictable playoff gauntlet.
For Burnley and Sheffield United, promotion would mark a quick return to the top flight after only a one-season dip. Leeds, meanwhile, is in its second consecutive year in the Championship following relegation in 2023. All three teams are part of a broader group of “yo-yo” clubs—like Norwich, West Brom and Southampton—that frequently bounce between England’s top two tiers.
Whoever claims promotion will join an expanding list of Premier League clubs under American control, a group that already includes Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United, among others.
Leeds United: Ambition tested by late-season nerves
Currently top of the table with 85 points, Leeds United has the highest profile and deepest history of the promotion contenders. The club is owned by the San Francisco-based 49ers Enterprises, whose backers include U.S. golf stars Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas. Red Bull also acquired a minority stake last year, adding a global brand to the club’s growing business portfolio.
But ambition alone won’t win promotion. Leeds is showing worrying signs of a repeat collapse. They’ve won just two of their last seven matches, allowing Burnley and Sheffield United to close the gap. Last year, a similar stumble cost them automatic promotion, and they lost the playoff final to Southampton.
The team, managed by Daniel Farke, will look to steady itself quickly, starting with Saturday’s home match against Preston. Leeds has never won promotion via the playoffs in six previous attempts—so avoiding that route is crucial.
Burnley: Defensive strength backed by American investment
Also on 85 points but trailing Leeds on goal difference, Burnley is majority-owned by ALK Capital, an investment group led by U.S. businessman Alan Pace. Former NFL star J.J. Watt is also among the club’s shareholders, further adding to its American ties.
Burnley has been defensively dominant this season, keeping a staggering 29 clean sheets in 41 league games. Between late December and February, they went 12 matches without conceding—a second-tier record. Under manager Scott Parker, the team has developed a rugged, resilient identity that could prove decisive in the final stretch.
A pivotal fixture awaits on April 21, when Burnley hosts third-place Sheffield United in what could be a promotion decider. First, they face Norwich at home this Friday.
Sheffield United: The outsiders closing fast despite setbacks
Sitting just two points behind on 83, Sheffield United has had a turbulent season but remains firmly in contention. The club started the campaign with a two-point deduction for defaulting on transfer payments during its last promotion run. That penalty could prove costly, as it’s all that separates them from the automatic spots.
New American ownership arrived in December, when the COH Sports consortium led by Steven Rosen and Helmy Eltoukhy completed their takeover, ending Prince Abdullah’s five-year reign. The transition has brought fresh energy but also late-season inconsistency, with recent back-to-back losses to Oxford and Millwall.
Sheffield United will be looking to bounce back this Saturday against bottom-placed Plymouth. With the Burnley clash looming, their path to promotion is narrow—but still navigable.
The playoff wildcards and what’s at stake
While Leeds, Burnley and Sheffield United battle for the top two spots, the playoff picture is also beginning to solidify. Sunderland, seven points off third, has secured a playoff place and could yet cause trouble. Bristol City and Coventry currently hold the remaining playoff positions, with Middlesbrough just two points behind and hoping to sneak in.
With only one playoff winner able to secure promotion, finishing in the top two is clearly the safer—and richer—route. For these American-owned clubs, the race isn’t just about silverware. It’s about stakes, strategy, and the $180 million promise of Premier League football.