The financial rewards for leading English football's top division have been revealed, with Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters seeing a substantial increase in his annual pay. Newly published accounts show his total compensation for the 2024-25 financial year reached £2.6 million.
This figure marks a notable rise from the £1.9 million Masters earned in the previous year. The key driver behind the increase was a £1.1 million payment tied to a long-term incentive scheme, which was awarded as part of his performance-related bonus.
The financial details were made public following the filing of the Premier League's accounts for the year ending 31 July 2025. These documents were submitted to Companies House and provide a clear picture of the executive compensation structure at the helm of the world's most-watched football league.
Masters is approaching a significant milestone in his leadership role, having served as CEO for nearly seven years. His journey to the top job began with a promotion to interim chief executive at the end of 2018, with the position being made permanent a year later in 2019.
His tenure has been marked by navigating the organization through major challenges. He played a central role in steering the Premier League through the severe disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Furthermore, he was a key figure in the league's successful effort to ward off the threat of the proposed European Super League in 2021.
Before his long association with the Premier League, which began in 2006, Masters built his career in sports administration. He spent six years working with the England and Wales Cricket Board starting in 1994, followed by a period with the English Football League.
The increased remuneration package reflects the scale of responsibility and the commercial success of the Premier League under his leadership. The league continues to generate enormous global revenue, and the CEO's compensation is often viewed as a benchmark for the industry.
Based on reporting from Football | The Guardian.