MADRID: Global financial consultancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) presented Thursday an independent study on the socioeconomic impact of the professional football industry in Spain, which generates a total of 185,000 jobs, €4.1 billion ($4.7 billion) in taxes and a turnover equal to 1.37% of the country’s GDP (gross domestic product).
The ‘Financial, Fiscal and Social Impact of Professional Football in Spain’ report has been put together using the most recent data available from the 2016/17 season, replacing the previous version based on figures from 2012/13.
LaLiga President Javier Tebas analysed the results from the study, highlighting how ‘It confirms the enormous social and financial importance of professional football in Spain and, subsequently, the importance of making responsible and well thought-out decisions about everything that affects an industry that is so relevant to the Spanish society’.
The results of the report conclude that employment has gone up by 28% compared with findings from the previous edition four years ago, fiscal contributions have increased by 41% and the contribution to LaLiga’s financial activity has doubled.
The total turnover generated by the professional football industry in Spain in 2016/17 was over €15.69 billion ($17.85 billion). This means that for every euro that LaLiga receives in turnover, an additional €4.20 ($4.78) is generated in the rest of the economy.
The 185,000 roles that have been created by the LaLiga make up a considerable number of jobs linked to other sectors and activities in the Spanish economy. Every job directly generated by LaLiga has created four more in Spain, covering an average of 0.98% of employed workers in Spain.
LaLiga generated additional revenue in other sectors such as catering, accommodation, bars and domestic tourism of almost €4 billion ($4.55 billion). In terms of the impact generated by football in other areas of the economy, the contribution to catering, transport and accommodation linked to sporting events held at stadiums stands out, with it reaching €2.4 billion ($2.73 billion) in the 2016/17 season.
Besides the impact generated by stadium visitors, high viewing figures for LaLiga matches helped Spanish bars take in around €1.23 billion ($1.4 billion), generating 19,415 jobs in the process. Football fans also enjoy watching matches on TV through subscription packages. 58% of the 6.6 million subscribers have football included and 41% of them would not subscribe if the beautiful game was not available to them.
