|
The soccer fever around the globe is making millionaires like never before.
From prospects to superstars everyone gets their share.
But who are the biggest earners and where does it all come from?
Top earning players
David Beckham.
Earnings estimated at $50 million a year
When Manchester United sold its superstar David Beckham to Real Madrid in 2003 for $50 million, people said the star-studded Spanish club was buying a mannequin as much as a midfielder. It was even more the case with the transfer to L.A. Galaxy for a head spinning $250 million in salary, existing sponsorship contracts, shirt sales and a share of the club’s profits.
Although they finished third-last in the MLS last season, only 9 points in front of the modest Toronto FC roster, the club made huge gains having in mind that Galaxy is only chipping in $50 million in salary in the 5-year contract, while the rest is covered by bonuses as well as endorsements from companies like Pepsi, Adidas, Herbalife, Motorola and Armani, to mention some.
Thanks to the Beckham deal, revenue from broadcast rights has also jumped. MLS Commissioner Don Garber said international TV sales have gone up from next to nothing to distribution in over 100 countries worldwide. (The national TV rights sales were not doing any better before Beckham either.)
Ronaldinho:
Earnings estimated at $31 million a year.
On 17th of January 2001, Paris Saint Germain paid a bargain of $6.95 million to Brazilian Gremio for Ronaldinho. After two years, Barcelona secured a move for $40.88 million and his current contract, which lasts until 2010, has a buyout clause of $165.47 million
Apart from his salary from Barcelona, the two-time FIFA Player of the Year has lucrative endorsement contracts with companies like EA Sports, Lenovo and PepsiCo, but of his 15 endorsement deals, Nike is the largest.
Ronaldo:
Earnings estimated at $23.4 million
Injury plagued AC Milan striker is third on the list despite missing most of the season at Milan.
Practically offloaded by Real Madrid, in a clear-out of its “Galacticos”, Ronaldo has a one year contract with AC Milan worth €7.5 million ($10.8m), while the rest is covered by his endorsement deals. Ronaldo seems destined for America, although AC Milan have constantly denied any possibility of a move at least until his contract expires.
Highest Transfer Fee:
Zinedine Zidane
From Juventus to Real Madrid for £46 million ($89.4m) in 2001.
Top profitable clubs
Real Madrid
Real Madrid have closed out its best fiscal year in history after recording €351 million ($508.7m), in revenue in the 2006/2007 fiscal year, a 20% increase compared to 2005-06.
Pre-tax profit jumped to €83 million ($120.3).
Manchester United
Profit at Manchester United almost doubled in 2006/2007 when the team regained the Premier League title. Expansion at the Old Trafford boosted match day profits, and media income generated from its progression to the FA Cup final and Champions League semi-finals helped to drive turnover to a record £210million, ($408.5m), up 27%. Pre-tax profit jumped 93% from £30.8 million ($59.9m) to £59,6 million ($115.9m)
Champions League Bonuses: The 2007/2008 winners will receive €7 million ($10.1m.) in prize money. And if you add the participation bonuses, the match bonuses, the performance bonuses, and the bonuses for each of the stages, the winner can receive, at best, over €23.7 million ($34.4m).
Broadcasting rights revenues
Apart from the more obvious revenues like those from attendance, awards for winning competitions, sponsorship deals, sports merchandise sales, and head spinning transfers for players worth significantly less before their rise to fame, another even more lucrative source of income for the big clubs and leagues are the TV rights.
Serie A side Juventus have renewed their contract with Italian broadcaster Mediaset, in a deal that will pour around €112 million, ($162.32 m) until the 2009-2010 season.
In the case of the English Premier League, where the clubs share the profits of the TV rights, the domestic rights cost $3.3 billion under the current contract which runs until 2010. The overseas broadcasting rights add additional $1.2 billion for the same period.
Sources:
www.uefa.com, www.realmadrid.com, www.fifa.com, www.manutd.com, www.mlsnet.com, www.la.galaxy.mlsnet.com, www.premierleague.com.
|
