Economic problems haunt Spanish clubs as second round of matches approach – La Liga Special (Part 2)
La Liga clubs are facing the worst financial troubles of their history. They are being hurt not only from the duopoly of Real Madrid and Barcelona over division of television revenues but also by lack of sponsors befitting their sporting history. The stakes
have risen following the players’ strike, and clubs cannot afford financial discrepancies anymore.
Of the twenty teams in the competition, eleven have shirt sponsorships and as many as nine club sides are still without guaranteed backers. As http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Spain-c3011 reels from the aftereffects of the recession, the game is being negatively affected by the economic downturn
and only time will tell how it all plans out.
Atletico Madrid have a big problem on their hands as they look into incoming offers. They have donned the logo of motor company KIA over the last six seasons, pocketing a handsome seven million Euros a year. Nevertheless they are resigned to the fact that
getting a similar deal will be difficult and are willing to drop to lower their demands to 5 million Euros. However, the proposals they have received are lower than their expectations, much lower.
Villarreal are on the hunt of a new kit sponsor as their previous contract with Aeroport Castelló comes to an end. This is the first time in Spanish top flight that the Yellow Submarines will be without a kit sponsor. Fellow Northern http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Club-Valencia-c38828 and Western
club Sevilla also have empty spaces on their jerseys. However, the clubs are in advanced talks with respectable organizations and confident about signing 3.5 million Euro deals.
Espanyol, on the other hand, have stolen the march on their league rivals. The Catalan club ended outside the European competition slots in the previous campaign but have managed to sign with a sponsor. Espanyol have signed a three year deal with Mexican
state of Quintana Roo and will be wearing the name of Cancun on their shirts.
It has been called a strategic alliance between the two involved parties. A statement from the Catalunya club stated: “the city of Barcelona and Espanyol football club will be a valuable platform to promote the resort of Cancun as a first-class international
tourist destination.” It continued to state “This agreement confirms the will of Espanyol to expand internationally and open up new markets such as Latin http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/America-c38390 and Asia. We are confident that both parties will be strengthened by this agreement, both now
and in the future.”
Espanyol will be adding 600 thousand Euros to their coffers for the duration of their contract. This also includes the Catalan side touring http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Mexico-c2956 every year as they expand their horizons. With half of La Liga clubs still looking for kit deals, cash injection
will be a considerably short in coming times.
Real Madrid and Barcelona earn around 30 million Euros every year respectively. In comparison, other Spanish clubs are paid peanuts. Athletic Bilbao receive the highest amount from Petronor: 2 million Euros every year. Getafe and Real Betis’ coffers get
one million Euros a piece from their sponsors, while Real Mallorca and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Racing-c40298 Santander earn less than the million Euro mark.
Granada do not disclose how much they receive from Caja Granada. Meanwhile, Sporting Gijon, Levante and Real Sociedad are financed by their local governments. Malaga on the other hand pays UNESCO for wearing their emblem on their jerseys in a similar arrangement
to what Barcelona had with UNICEF.
Tough times are ahead for La Liga sides as a host of clubs are still without kit sponsorships. With a large chunk of televisions revenues already being lost to Real Madrid and Barcelona, lack of sponsors makes life increasingly difficult for the clubs. Liga
Nacional de Fútbol Profesional (LFP) will have to take action to protect the game from the turbulent times ahead.
Disclaimer: Views expressed here are the writer’s own and in no way represent bettor.com’s official editorial policy
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