The current situation of Spanish football raises major concerns about the economic future of clubs and players. Recent comments state that salaries may decrease and that some clubs risk disappearing if measures are not taken swiftly.
The economic risks in Spanish football
Javier Tebas, president of LaLiga, made key points during his speech about the economic future of football in Spain. He highlighted the threat to clubs caused by audiovisual piracy. Indeed, if the situation does not improve in the next two years, audiovisual rights could suffer a significant drop, leading to a loss of revenue for clubs, which could cause salary cuts and even the disappearance of some clubs.
The president emphasized that around 40% of the Spanish population pirates sports content, which severely harms the clubs’ revenues. According to him, fighting piracy is essential to keep the finances of professional football in Spain healthy. Tebas also mentioned that legal action would be considered against technology giants like Google to counteract the illegal broadcasting of sports content.
The need for strict regulation
To address these challenges, strict regulation of the sector is crucial. The president of LaLiga expressed that clubs must operate within a solid economic framework, indicating that inflation in football has led to monumental losses. Over the past ten years, Spanish football has faced losses of 30 million euros, while the British Premier League is said to have lost 5 billion euros.
He stressed the need for strong national competitions and better economic control to ensure the sustainability of clubs, avoiding a situation similar to that of other leagues facing increased financial difficulties.
Consequences of a format change
Tebas also discussed the impact of new formats of competitions, such as the recent reform of the Champions League, which seemed to affect the values of audiovisual rights in certain areas. These changes could lead to a compromised situation, threatening not only the playing fields but also the economic structure of clubs, particularly mid-sized clubs that could suffer significant financial losses.
Conclusion
The future of Spanish football thus depends on proactive measures to combat piracy and on responsible financial management. Warnings about salary cuts and the disappearance of clubs raise considerable concerns that require a collective and swift response from all football stakeholders in Spain. The clarity of rules and adherence to economic viability are more essential than ever to ensure a stable future for the sport.
Source: as.com