Real Madrid vs Man City: Football’s Richest Clubs

They not only dominate on the field of play. They also do it in the offices. A survey by the sports consultancy Spobisindicates that the Manchester City and the Real Madrid They are the clubs that generate the most income worldwide from main sponsorships. The English club receives 75 million euros a year from Etihad Airwayswhile Real Madrid receives 70 million euros from Emirates. However, Real Madrid dominates the list in terms of uniform sponsorships, reaching 260 million euros annually, followed by City with 212 million.

Both teams are also considered the richest on the planet. An annual report of Football Benchmarkpublished in the middle of this year, confirmed Real Madrid as the most valuable club in the world, valued at 5,953 million euros. The report indicates a growth of 116% since 2016 and highlights the club’s improvement during the pandemic. Real Madrid was also cited as the only one among the big European clubs to record a positive cumulative net profit over the last ten years. “It’s not just about the financial aspects, but the brands that sponsor us have a direct interest in the locations where they can appear and the communities they can reach. When our matches are broadcast globally, as is the case with the Premier LeagueFor example, we will undoubtedly increase the numbers and have a greater number of global brands occupying these spaces,” he says. Renê SalvianoCEO of Heatmap and specialist in sponsorships and sports marketing activations.

After Real Madrid are Manchester City, valued at 4,854 million euros, and Manchester Unitedalso valued at 4,807 million pounds. In fact, Premier League teams dominate the top spots, with 6 teams in the Top 10.

“It will be difficult to dethrone Real Madrid from this position, since it continues to be one of the most traditional clubs, the one that continues to face and defeat, with greater frequency, the clubs acquired by Asian billionaires and that have changed levels in recent decades. Real Madrid continues to be seen as a brand that represents more than a fortune, but a story bigger than any fortune,” he analyzes Thiago Freitasdirector of operations Roc Nation Sports.

Real Madrid already surpassed Manchester City last season as the club with the highest income in the world, thanks to the combination of its sporting performance and talent with a consolidated brand internationalization strategy that is now bearing fruit. Associating a brand with the most valuable jersey in world football means reaching almost every corner of the world at the same time and taking advantage of values ​​such as efficiency, professionalism, perseverance and leadership, he explains. Ivan Martinhoprofessor of sports marketing at the ESPM.

Speaking of title sponsorship alone, the Top 10 includes five English teams. In addition to City, mentioned above, there is Manchester United, with 70 million euros of Snapdragon; he Arsenalwith 58 million euros from Emirates; he Liverpoolwith 58 million euros of Liège Standard; and the Tottenhamwith 46 million euros of AIA. The ranking also includes PSGwhich receives 70 million euros from Qatar; the Juventus (Italy), with 69 million euros of Jeep; and the only German team, the Bayern Munichwith 50 million euros of Telekom.

In Brazil, the one that is closest to these figures is the Flemishwho this season closed a multimillion-dollar contract with Betanovalued at 60 million euros, becoming the largest record in Brazilian football.

“These are clubs that have become global brands, expanding their operations beyond Europe, especially the Asian market, and this is what makes the values ​​reach these figures. We are talking about clubs with structures that go beyond what happens on the field,” he adds. Thales Rangel MafiaMarketing Director of Multibrands Consortiums. According to experts, one of the reasons for Real Madrid’s rating lies in the renovation of the stadium Santiago Bernabéuwhich, after the modernization process, doubled its income per day.

“It is very positive to see this type of technology, since the field is the main stage of the game. The quality, with conservation, treatment, fertilization, photosynthesis and controlled temperature, leaves the grass in ideal conditions for matches, giving it the importance it really deserves. And, unfortunately, this type of renovation is far above what we can achieve in the Brazilian market. These are really important investments for those who have a great capacity to finance the sport,” he adds. Sergio Schildtpresident of RECOMa company specialized in sports infrastructures.

“The modernization of stadium structures, such as the Bernabéu, makes it possible to offer accessibility, safety and comfort to the public. In addition, adequate infrastructure allows stadiums to host major sporting events, attracting tourists and boosting the local economy. With several stadiums adopting new technologies, the public is the main beneficiary, he adds. Tironi Paz Ortizexecutive director of Implya leading company in the supply of technologies such as facial recognition and biometrics for access to football clubs, stadiums and pavilions in Brazil.

His rival, the Barcelonais also among the best valued and within the Top 10, with a valuation of 4,297 million euros, like PSG, with 3,620 million euros (see list below). Some English teams stood out, such as Aston Villawith a 42% increase in its business valuation.

On the other hand, the Football Benchmark study highlights some negative aspects, especially the total losses of more than 450 million euros for most European clubs last season, with Real Madrid as an exception.

“Football has become an increasingly profitable business. In general, clubs have understood that the more they invest in the product, the greater the profitability. Therefore, the modernization of stadiums, the closing of commercial agreements and, above all, the formation of competitive squads, translate into greater annual income. It is not surprising that the teams that raise the most money are the ones that invest the most in these areas,” he explains. Claudio Fioritogeneral director of P&P Sport Management Brasil.

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