Premier League clubs will be able to use more television cash to fund players' salaries, although restrictions will be in place to prevent them from frittering away the £8.3 billlion windfall.
The 20 top-flight teams have agreed to extend financial controls designed to restrain spiralling player costs for a further three seasons, a statement on the Premier League website announced.
The restrictions were initially imposed in 2013 and the new limits reflect the rise in the value of TV rights for the 2016-19 period.
Clubs have the option of abiding by two alternative wage-control options.
Premier League clubs have agreed to continue the Short Term Cost Control rules. More: https://t.co/TTY1IpdYue
- Premier League (@PLSpokesman) March 24, 2016
If wage bills exceed £67m in 2016-17, £74m in 2017-18 and £81m in 2018-19, they can only be raised by £7m per season for the next three years from TV revenue. During the current 2013-16 TV rights cycle, annual increases of £4m have been allowed to be funded from TV cash.
Alternatively, clubs have to show that their aggregate wage bill for players has not increased since the 2012-13 season by more than £19m in 2016-17, £26m in 2017-18 and £33m in 2018-19.
Clubs will still be allowed to hike salaries if they are funded by self-generated revenue, notably through commercial deals and merchandise sales.
But the league has rules in place that require clubs to provide information that all liabilities can be met for the following season.