Record revenues keep Real Madrid on top of 2010 Deloitte Money League

Real Madrid becomes the first sports team in the world to generate revenues of over €400m in a year. The spanish giants increased their revenues by 10% and are on top of the Deloitte Money League for the fifth consecutive year.

FC Barcelona overtook Manchester United to become second. Seven Premier League clubs made the top 20 (6 clubs last year). The financial gap between Real Madrid and the 20th club (Newcastle this year, Dortmund last year) rose from €258m to €300m. In its report Deloitte indicates the economic recession did not have (yet) an impact on the european clubs’ finance.

Clubs’ large and loyal supporter bases, ability to drive broadcast audiences, and continuing attraction to corporate partners provide a strong base to underpin revenues. Moreover, most of Money League clubs maintained average match attendances at previous levels.

“The combined revenues of the top 20 Money League clubs was over €3.9 billion in 2008/09, a €26m increase on the previous year.”

FC Barcelona’s great performances on the pitch resulted in the higher revenues increase in the Money League (+€57m), while the sustained depreciation of the Pounds Sterling against the Euro (which fell by 21% from 2007 to 2009!) continues to weaken English clubs’ ranking (as for example Manchester United would be on top of the list with the 2007 exchange rate).

All of this year’s top 20 clubs are from the “big five” countries: England (7 clubs), France (2), Germany (5), Italy (4), and Spain (2). There is little changes with the 2007/2008 list, Manchester City and Werder Bremen replacing VFB Stuttgart and Fenerbahce.

“The limited change in the clubs comprising the Money League top 20 reflects the fact that those clubs with the largest supporter bases in the strongest economic markets, high attraction to commercial partners, and consistent participation in European competition will dominate the top positions.”

“Whilst there has been relatively little change in the clubs that comprise the top 20, participation and relative performance in the UEFA Champions League continues to be a key factor in determining a club’s position in the Money League”…

… but is not the only reason. Hamburg SV increased its revenues by 15%, without playing the Champions League, largely through growth in match day and commercial revenues.

The near future will not be much different. Real Madrid and Barcelona will continue holding the top-two positions. English clubs will remain financially strong, helped with an impressive growth of overseas tv rights value from 2010/2011 to over £1.2 billion. Champions League performance will be a key factor in determining a clubs’ revenue performance and position in the Deloitte Money League. 2009/10 is the first season of new improved three year broadcast and commercial deals which will, in total, deliver a 29% increase in distributions to participating clubs.

The Deloitte Money League – 2008/09 Revenue

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