The 52-year-old insisted the figure is payback for Lawwell’s sensible running of the Parkhead outfit since he took over the role in 2003.
Mitchell said: “I think Peter Lawwell is aware that he has the chance to really leave an important legacy at Celtic.
“And I am convinced that legacy will be 10 in a row. If Peter and Brendan stay at Celtic Park, then I cannot see any other team winning the Premiership. Ever. They could close it off for Celtic for the next 20 years.
“For me, Peter is the best football chief executive working anywhere in Europe. And these new figures show that.
“That is not just my view. Recently, Barcelona’s hierarchy made positive comments about Peter because of his work with the European Clubs’ Association, where Peter is on the board.
“The whole landscape of European football has changed in recent years and Peter’s great achievement has been to keep Celtic healthy while revenue has been harder to find.
“When Peter took over at Celtic in 2003, it was a different business model for the club. They had just reached the UEFA Cup Final, but that was on a different financial model.
“Peter knew that was not sustainable. He had to make changes, but without people noticing. That was not easy.
“Fans have expectations, especially when you get to European finals, but Peter had to change Celtic’s financial model without Celtic stopping being successful.
“He turned them into a selling club and downsized the wage bill, but managed to keep Celtic competitive on the pitch.
“They qualified for the Champions League, more often than not, and with different managers.
“Celtic also started a scouting system that found players they could sell to clubs in England.
“People don’t realise how much Celtic have changed and that is not easy because the support is demanding and I speak as a Celtic supporter myself.
“To manage a club like Celtic as a chief exec is hard. People don’t realise how important it is to keep all the stakeholders happy.
“The owner, Dermot Desmond, is a very strong man with his own views and managers can be demanding.
“The boardroom mood can change as quickly as the stands. If you’re not a leader, it can be impossible.
“Peter has managed Dermot, several managers and the fans. Everyone wants their say.
“After Celtic lost the Scottish Cup semi-final to Rangers last season, people were very critical about Peter and Dermot, but they have responded.
“The greatest criticism I heard was people saying Peter was over-involved in every aspect of the club. But if you want to run a club like Celtic you need to do that.
“There are clubs like Inter Milan and Valencia who have just had dreadful times recently, because there were too many people trying to call the shots – they could have done with a Peter Lawwell.
“The most important aspect that people don’t consider is the Rangers (sic) situation after they went bankrupt. Everyone says that predictions of Armageddon were ridiculous, but it had a big impact on Celtic’s finances.
“They lost hospitality money, season ticket sales went down. But Peter took Celtic from the stormy waters of 2012 and put them into a safe haven with these new figures.”
Mitchell admitted the arrival of Rodgers as Hoops boss last June, replacing Ronny Deila, was crucial, too.
He added: “I don’t know how Celtic convinced Brendan to come, but it has paid off.
“It was difficult under Deila, but Brendan even has an old cynic like me full of enthusiasm about the way Celtic play and where they are going.
“Parkhead is full now because fans want to see the team and homegrown players such as Kieran Tierney and Liam Henderson.
“I live in Italy now, but I see a very successful club, despite it being in a disadvantaged background.
“When Setanta went down, and then Rangers (sic), that was very difficult for Peter. Losing your broadcaster and main rival is not something anyone can plan for.
