Europa League to get €60M boost from ECA

The Europa League is about to get an upgrade.

Starting in 2018, the European Club Association (ECA) has decided to inject the continent's second-tier tournament with €60 million in prize money, the organization announced Wednesday.

Forever in the shadow of the revenue behemoth that is the Champions League, European football's younger brother is often neglected by bigger clubs who save Thursdays for their B sides.

Part of the decision to rest players - especially early in the group stage - is down to the financial disincentive.

The Europa League has just €399.8 million to dish out to participants this season, while the Champions League boasts a kitty of €1.3 billion.

UEFA officials tried to make the Europa League more attractive two years ago, offering a Champions League place to the winner of the competition.

The cash boost will give clubs more of a reason to take it seriously.

Of the €60 million, €50 million will be allocated to the Europa League proper and €10 million will go to the qualifying phase.