Cristiano Ronaldo

The Soccer Import-Export Business…

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Just a quick tidbit today.

The commercial trade in soccer talent is a global industry that shuttles hundreds of players between the leagues of the world every year. The river of money that follows the annual player migration is staggering in its volume and has spawned an entire economy that feeds people like Kia Joorabchian.

So where are those waves of cash spilling into? Which leagues sell the most and which buy the most? You can probably guess the top countries in each category but you will probably be surprised by some of the entrants further down.

Note that these figures reflect the the buying/selling of any player currently registered to one of the domestic leagues, not just players of the country’s nationality. As an example the sale of Ronaldo from Manchester United to Real Madrid counts in England’s column as an export and an import in Spain’s column, Portgual gets nothing. Figures in Euros.

Behold the top exporters of talent between 2006-2011: Continue reading “The Soccer Import-Export Business…” →

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The Soccer Import-Export Business…

The Ridiculousness of Release Clauses

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These days it seems like you can’t be thought of as a world class soccer player unless you have a super-sized release clause in your contract.  The most recently example: Barcelona have finally closed the book on the protracted transfer saga/soap opera that was Cesc Fabregas’ move to the Camp Nou.  In addition to the £35m fee paid it was announced that the midfielder had a €200m release clause inserted in his contract.

The high price is supposed to be a statement of intent to keep a player but is it really anything besides a headline grab? Continue reading “The Ridiculousness of Release Clauses” →

The Ridiculousness of Release Clauses

The Week in Soccer Business: July 29, 2011

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A weekly compilation of interesting soccer related business news.

FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011 declared ‘financial success’ – July 22nd

The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011™ has proved exceptionally successful from a financial point of view, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) announced following publication of provisional results from the tournament.

Based on current income and expenditure forecasts, the LOC anticipates a surplus before taxes of €10.6 million, although the figure is subject to change depending on a final audit and cash flow evaluations. Corporation and municipal business taxes due to the German authorities come to approximately €3 million, leaving a net surplus of some €7.6 million.

Full Article >> FIFA.com

  Continue reading “The Week in Soccer Business: July 29, 2011” →

The Week in Soccer Business: July 29, 2011

Cristiano Ronaldo Used As Collateral

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This was interesting enough to merit its own post. 

The Spanish banking group Bankia  has apparently posted Ronaldo’s registration (as well as Kaka’s) as collateral to secure loans from the European Central Bank:

“Could we see a situation in which the ECB seizes one of the players?“ wonders the Munich daily. “In theory, it is possible. Bankia would first have to become insolvent. Thereafter, Real would have to default on its loans, which are secured by advertising and television revenues.

Presseurop.eu

Süddeutsche Zeitung (Original in German)

Given the recent troubles in the Eurozone caused by Greek instability and hints of contagion in other Euro members like Italy, it is unsurprising that a policy of measured lending maybe taking a backseat to a policy of “Take the money now!”.

If collateralizing player registrations becomes a trend maybe we will see the ECB field a Winning XI from the PIIGS?

Cristiano Ronaldo Used As Collateral