By Paul Nicholson
October 4 – Barcelona have confirmed record revenues of €914 million ($1.05 billion) for the 2017-18 season, an increase of €206 million on the previous year. The club says it is on course to break the €1 billion mark by 2021.
A statement on the club website said: “This is undoubtedly an extraordinary achievement in the club’s history, in line with its strategic plan to reach revenue of €1bn by 2021, the final year of the current board’s mandate.”
Profit before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation rose from €124 million to €177 million.
Barca’s revenue (the figures are for the whole sporting club but primarily relate to football income) was boosted by increased broadcast income and prize money. Barca did the Spanish league and cup double winning La Liga league and the Copa Del Rey cup titles last season. Although Barca only reached the quarter finals of the Champions League last season (aa poor return by their recent standards), the value of broadcasting rights for the Champions League have increased.
Barca also benefitted from the world record €222 million transfer of Neymar to PSG. Setting a new budget target of €960 million for the current year, Barca are very unlikely to benefit from another €222 million player sale.
Barca are budgeting that this will be covered predominantly by an €80 million increase in media/broadcast revenue and a €57 million jump in sponsorship. The €220 million Rakuten shirt sponsorship still has another two seasons to run.
Barca did have significant player acquisition expenses buying French forward Ousmane Dembele from Borussia Dortmund for an estimated €105 million, and Brazilian Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool for £142 million.
With the big money transfers came even bigger money wages and the club reported ‘sporting salaries’ (players and playing department staff) for 2017-18 up to €520 million, though in the new budget the club says this will be reduced by €28 million to €492 million this season.
The expansion of the iconic Camp Nou stadium and the surrounding facilities is the core of Barca’s infrastructure plan and will Europe’s largest stadium increase capacity from 97,000 to 105,000. The club has included €72 million in the current budget for investment in Espai Barç.
The Vice President and Treasurer of the Board of Directors, Enric Tombas (pictured left) and club CEO Oscar Grau (pictured right), presented the budget for the 2018/19 season at a press conference yesterday (Tuesday October 3).
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