January 9 – The Spanish Super Cup, being played in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, opened with a 2-0 win for Barcelona over Athletic Club with goals by Gavi and Lamine Yamal, against a backdrop of protests against the unequal distribution of tournament revenue to clubs.
Estimates put Saudi Arabian money for the tournament at €40 million. The participation fees paid to the four clubs competing show enormous differences.
Real Madrid and FC Barcelona are understood to receive between €5-6 million each while the rest of the teams are valued on a sliding scale that sees the lowest valuation start at €750,000.
The calculation is based on sporting results, television audiences and the perceived value the clubs bring to the tournament.
On Monday, Jon Uriarte, president of Athletic Club, said: “We are hopeful that a fairer system (of distribution) can be achieved.” The Basques will receive a minimum of €1.5 million, 4% of the €40 million Saudi Arabia pays to the RFEF.
As well as a participation fee, there is €6.6 million in prize money with the winner receiving € 2 million, the losing finalist €1 million and each of the semi-finalists €800,000.
Last year Real Madrid took €7.5 million from the tournament and Barcelona €5.3 million. Of the €40 million Saudi pay, just over half goes to the clubs with the remainder being snaffled by the RFEF.
This isn’t the first time the ‘smaller’ clubs have complained about the unequal revenue distribution with both Valencia, Real Betis and Osasuna having voiced concern about the fairness in the past.
Last year Atlético Madrid received €2.3 million as their participation fee.
But it is not just a picture of big club and federation greed. Madrid and Barcelona will give €200,000 each from their pot to RCD Mallorca and Athletic Club to help with travel expenses, This will increase their participation income to a minimum of €1.3 million and €2 million. It is easy to be seen to be generous with what for Real and Barca is just a bit of chump change.
This is the fifth time the Super Cup has been played in Saudi Arabia. A run in the country that has only been interrupted once when it was played in Spain during the covid pandemic. The Super Cup will remain in Saudi until 2029. And the money will likely remain in bulk with Real Madrid, Barcelona and the RFEF.
Real Madrid begin their quest for more gold against Mallorca tonight.
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