Burnley could lose £50M if Premier League season ends prematurely

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Burnley estimate they'll lose as much as £50 million if the coronavirus pandemic forces the Premier League season to end early.

The Clarets have nine matches remaining - including four at home - and they risk losing £5 million in gate receipts. Burnley could miss out on another £45 million in broadcasting revenue if the rest of the season is canceled.

Other clubs with higher wage bills and annual costs may suffer up to £100 million in losses, according to Burnley's statement.

"It's a completely unprecedented situation that we and other Premier League clubs face and which we could not have foreseen in any way only just a few weeks ago," chairman Mike Garlick said.

"It's now not just about Burnley or any other individual club anymore, it's about the whole football ecosystem from the Premier League downward and all the other businesses and communities that feed from that ecosystem," he adds.

The Premier League said Friday it will only restart once "it is safe and appropriate to do so." In the meantime, it has set aside £125 million to help out lower-level clubs in the English Football League and National League, while also pledging £20 million to the National Health Service (NHS) and other vulnerable groups.

Discussions are ongoing with each of the 20 clubs over a potential wage cut or deferral. The Premier League is consulting with the Professional Footballers' Association to see if it will accept a 30% drop in wages.