MADRID: LaLiga has released its annual financial report and has documented an all-time record amount of revenues of $4.55 billion from the 2016-17 season.
This represents an increase of nearly 50% in the last 5 seasons. It has mentioned a year-on- year increase of $621 million, which has been generated due to a centralized model of broadcast rights.
The Spanish league is set to earn $1.23 billion per season until 2018-19. This is because the domestic football rights were sold collectively on the open market for the first time. Deals with companies such as Telefonica, Orange and Vodafone have helped the LaLiga establish a strong financial position.
The other sources of revenue comprised $781.23 million in marketing, $597 million in transfers, $937 million in matchday income and $181 million from advertising, with other sources accounting for $308 million. This allowed for a pre-tax profit of $294 million, according to LaLiga.
“The report points to an increase in revenue, improved performance and a reduction of debt, and confirms that the restructuring process in Spanish football has been brought to fruition,” said LaLiga president Javier Tebas in an introductory letter that accompanies the report. He went on to note that it may take a few more seasons to achieve the desired stability at certain individual clubs, due to their particular circumstances, and especially in LaLiga 1|2|3, but stressed that, “on a whole, the objective has been accomplished.”
Tebas also thanked the clubs for the “commitment that they have demonstrated from the outset” to the process and working ethos in question, which they have “driven and embraced” to the extent that it has been possible to completely “transform the way in which Spanish professional football is managed.”
