FCBARCELONA.CAT

02.03.2010 13:52

Barca, second richest club in the world

www.fcbarcelona.cat

According to the latest report from Deloitte, Barca are now the second richest club in the world with an income of €365,9 million during the 2008/09 season.

The Football Money League study released this Tuesday by leading accountancy company Deloiittes reveals that FC Barcelona have moved into second place on the football rich list, behind Real Madrid in terms of their income over the 2008/09 season.

Overtaking Manchester United

Barca’s income of €365,9 million during last season in which they won the treble of Spanish League and Cup and the Champions League saw them overtake the team they beat in the European Cup Final in Rome Manchester United, who registered €327 million of income.

Biggest increase

FC Barcelona increased income by more than any other club in the study, moving from €308,8 million in 2007/08 to €365,9 million last season - an increase of €57.1 million.

The club’s income increased by 18%, compared with Real Madrid’s 9% and over the last 4 years it has risen by 75%compared with a 45% rise for the Madrid club. Barca are the club who have most increased income over the last 5 years – doubling income and bringing in profits of € 8,8 million.

Success on the pitch

The study explained: “Barcelona's unprecedented on-pitch success, winning a domestic double and the Champions League, helped drive a revenue increase by €57m, the largest absolute increase of any Money League club, to €366m. Barca’s improvement means that Spanish teams occupy the two top spots and, as in Rome in May, Barca have got the better of Manchester United”.

TV rights

One of the keys to both Barca and Madrid’s increased income has been the TV rights for games which are negotiated individually rather than the collective deal that English clubs have.
FC Barcelona, who closed a new deal with Mediapro last season, received €158 million for their TV rights.

Although the Premier League has seen Manchester United lose its second spot – also in part because of the weakness of the pound- it remains the national league with most representatives in the top-10.