Is the return of the Tyne-Wear derby worth £2m? - Newcastle United out of pocket as Sunderland return to Premier League

Against all the odds, Sunderland won at Wembley on Saturday, beating Sheffield United in the Championship Play-off final with seconds to spare.

Sheffield United should have been out of sight by the time the half-time whistle blew, but their inability to press home their dominance allowed Sunderland back into the game and the Mackems took full advantage.

So, for us poor souls living in and around Durham, where it's an even split between Mags and Mackems, next week at work is going to be rather insufferable.

Newcastle sealing Champions League football today with a win over Everton should quiet them down slightly, and the fact that Newcastle won at Wembley this season too will also take the wind out of their sails, but the Mackems are going to be so full of themselves, so beware.

Sunderland Echo

Sheffield United's failure to attain promotion cost Newcastle United £2m

Indeed, they have a further two million reasons to be cocky about it as, thanks to preventing Sheffield United gaining promotion, Newcastle and all the other Premier League sides, will be around £2 million out of pocket.

Sheffield United are due to receive £39 million in parachute payments following their relegation last season, but had they sealed promotion, that £39 million would have been kept and redistributed by the Premier League amongst the other clubs.

The Blades will now receive the full £39 million themselves, which is likely to help them add to their squad to get them back up to the Premier League next season.

Is the derby banter worth £2m?

Parachute payments are spread out over three years for clubs relegated from the Premier League; however, should a relegated club gain promotion within those three years, those payments stop.

The Premier League saved £39 million with Burnley coming back up and another £17 million thanks to Leeds' promotion at the second time of asking, so the Premier League clubs will receive just under £3 million each thanks to that.

Is the derby day banter worth £2 million? I think it is. I'm already excited and nervous for them.