Alious
Evangelos Marinakis Faces Financial Crossroads as Champions League Dream Could Unlock £40M Windfall for Nottingham Forest
Evangelos Marinakis is currently navigating a pivotal moment for Nottingham Forest, with the club’s European aspirations—and financial future—hanging in the balance. The Forest owner has temporarily stepped back from direct involvement in the club to ensure both Forest and his other team, Olympiacos, remain compliant with UEFA rules, allowing them to compete in separate European competitions.
While this suspension doesn’t alter Marinakis’ ownership status, it highlights the importance of Forest’s potential European qualification. As their Champions League hopes teeter, the implications for summer transfer plans and the club’s overall budget are becoming increasingly significant.
Marinakis has reportedly prioritized securing a new striker in the next window, but the club’s final league position—and which UEFA tournament they qualify for—will determine just how deep the ownership can dig financially.
Speaking exclusively to *Nottingham Forest News*, football finance expert Adam Williams detailed just how transformative Champions League participation could be. Williams noted that simply qualifying for the revamped competition guarantees a minimum payout of approximately £16 million, with earnings potentially reaching £45–60 million through performance bonuses and TV revenue. This figure dwarfs the returns from the Europa League or Conference League.
Moreover, Champions League football would fuel a “retail spike,” drive up sponsorship leverage, and increase matchday revenue through premium ticket pricing.
By contrast, qualifying for the Europa League or Conference League would be financially underwhelming, with a potential £40 million shortfall compared to the Champions League. Despite pundits like Simon Jordan suggesting that the Europa League might suit Forest better on the pitch, Williams asserts Marinakis would strongly favour the elite competition—especially under UEFA’s new money-spinning format.
Although Forest’s lack of recent European pedigree could slightly diminish their coefficient-based share of UEFA’s pot, the significant contribution of UK broadcasters to UEFA’s TV pool would compensate for that loss. That could make the financial chasm between Champions League and other tournaments even more pronounced.
Ultimately, should Forest clinch a Champions League spot, it could pave the way for an unprecedented spending spree at the City Ground. Marinakis would be well positioned to supercharge Nuno Espírito Santo’s squad with marquee signings and reinforce Forest’s ambitions of becoming a mainstay on Europe’s biggest stage.
Alious
