The economy of the LaLiga clubs is recovering. After a few seasons in which the consequences of the covid were felt in the coffers of all the teams, the clubs have recovered their pre-pandemic income. With a growth of 22.6 percent, total revenue in the 2021-22 season reached 4,838.1 million euros, once again reaching the historical level of the 2019-20 season.
After a contraction in income in the 2020-21 campaign that left the income of LaLiga clubs below 4,000 euros, the latest Economic Report on the competition shows optimism. In addition, "Spanish clubs were the ones with the lowest aggregate losses, thus reflecting the success and solidity of a model based on financial sustainability," they maintain in the report.
With the reopening of the stadiums after overcoming the toughest months of confinement, the game that grew the most in the 2021-22 campaign was that related to matchday (123%). Figures that allow LaLiga to regain second place in the big leagues, both in absolute and relative terms (measuring per capita income and at the same price level) and continuing with this trend, they hope to reach first place in the coming seasons.
Regarding expenses, the clubs have tightened their belts and have reduced the cost of their squads from 61.4% to 54.5% of Total Revenue. This item continues to be the highest of the expenses, assuming 47% of the costs. "This determination in operational containment carried out by all the clubs, as well as the rigorous economic control of LaLiga, have contributed decisively to alleviating the immediate effects and creating the conditions for a gradual, sustainable and self-sustaining recovery," they say. .
The aggregate Net Result of the Spanish competition was still at a loss (€-140.1M) in 21/22, but with a level of deficit ostensibly lower than that of the previous year and also that of the other major leagues. The Bundesliga in Germany suffered €-205M, the LFP in France €-601M, the Premier League Championship around €-1,005M, and for Serie A B approximately €-1,150M.
Despite the losses registered in the 2021-22 campaign, LaLiga speaks of optimistic forecasts for the current season and estimates that the growth in revenue will continue gradually and, most importantly, that aggregate net profits will once again be registered in the Spanish professional competition.
The investment of Spanish clubs in players increased slightly to 576 million euros from 547 million a year ago, but it was much lower than the 1,530 million disbursed the previous season. However, the amount of money spent on infrastructure skyrocketed to €430 million, exceeding pre-pandemic levels. This includes Barcelona's investment to renovate the emblematic Camp Nou stadium and its surroundings.
Last month, the Catalan club reached a financing agreement worth 1.45 billion euros with 20 investors, including Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan, after having renegotiated the initial conditions. Barcelona will pay off the debt six years earlier than previously agreed and the new deal includes additional refinancing and interest rate risk for the club. Barça has tried to improve its finances by converting assets into cash and bringing in new sponsors.
