Espanyol backroom active in securing financial stability – La Liga Special
UEFA President Michel Platini is bent on enforcing Financial Fair Play rules and this puts many La Liga clubs in jeopardy. As many as five Spanish top flight clubs are in administration with more of their colleagues set to join them. This becomes a bigger
bone of contention for clubs harbouring dreams of European competitions. In this regard, RCD Espanyol backroom has been active as they have tightened their purses while they are looking for better financing avenues.
Over the summer transfer window, Espanyol have been active in the bargain market. The Catalonian side have secured the services of as many as six players for a combined total of 8.5 million Euros. Juan Angel Albin, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Adrián-c3701 Luna and Hector Moreno accounted
for the outgoing cheques while ageing striker http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Walter-Pandiani-c36613 arrived on a free transfer.
On the other hand, Espanyol had to get rid of ten players in order to ease the pressure on the wage bill. The Catalan club welcomed proceeds of 21.5 million Euros from the sale of players.
Real Madrid gave 5.5 million Euros as they brought back Jose Callejon. In addition, Dani http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Roma-c31603 for 15 million Euros and helped the club make a net profit of 13 million Euros from
the transfer activities.
Los Periquitos have been busy in acquiring a kit sponsor for their jersey. A deal was struck with the Mexican State of Quintana Roo. The three-year sponsorship puts the name of Cancun on Espanyol’s jerseys. The contract is worth 600 thousand Euros a year
and will run for the next three seasons. Clauses of the contract also state that Espanyol will have to tour the country and play friendly matches.
The agreement is beneficial financially for both the parties involved. It gives the opportunity to Los Periquitos to expand internationally and opens Latin American markets for the club. In an economic climate where an overwhelming 9 La Liga clubs are without
kit sponsorships, this deal will go a long way and secure financial stability for the club.
Espanyol have also come in partnership with the Chinese sportswear company Li-Ning. This deal allows the Asian brand to penetrate in one of the most followed football leagues around the world. On the other hand, Espanyol will benefit from gaining entry into
the most populated country of the world.
In hopes of improving their financial situation further, the club has been looking to secure deals to generate income from the Far East. Espanyol are in advanced stages of signing a deal with an Indonesian company in an ambitious project. The club will be
involved in creating a professional football league in the country which has a little footballing history.
This step will not only help the Spanish club off the field but also on-field. Leaving the economic reasons aside, Espanyol will benefit from the option of incorporating to youth players from the populated country into their youth academy. This will not
only advertise Indonesian football to the world; in fact, it will help Espanyol expand their scouting network.
Espanyol’s proactive approach following the players’ strike and the impending UEFA Financial Fair Play Rules is a good indication of where the club’s hierarchy wants to see them in the future. A club of Los Periquitos stature cannot remain idle to the changing
dynamics of the game and their actions away from the field are a welcome sight.
Disclaimer: Views expressed here are the writer’s own and in no way represent bettor.com’s official editorial policy
Tags: