Madrid’s total revenue of £186million (B276m) at the end of the financial year in 2005 is double what it was in 2001, putting it top of the Football Money League compiled by the business advisory company, Deloitte.
Dan Jones, partner in the sports business group at Deloitte, said: “Real Madrid’s top spot in the Deloitte Football Money League represents a remarkable transformation in the club’s revenue generating capacity. The club’s annual revenue has doubled during the past five seasons, primarily driven by commercial revenue streams.
“Growth for most other clubs in the table has tended to come more from broadcasting and matchday income, here Real Madrid has broken the mould.”
The Money League also shows that the total revenue for the world’s top 20 clubs has broken through the £2billion (B3bn) barrier.
The global top 20 is entirely populated by European clubs, with English clubs occupying eight of the positions, Italian clubs five positions, plus three clubs from Spain, two from Germany and one club from each of France and Scotland.
On-pitch success is a key factor - despite Madrid’s relatively modest performances of late - with 14 of the top 20 clubs in 2004/05 reaching the UEFA Champions League group stages.
Developments in the German and French football market should help some clubs climb the Money League.
According to Alan Switzer, from the sports business group at Deloitte: “During the next few seasons, we expect to see a stronger financial showing from German and French clubs. In each country there are new broadcast deals that will significantly enhance clubs’ revenue.
“In addition, Germany will host the World Cup in over B1billion worth of new and redeveloped stadia. This new asset base now provides German clubs with the opportunity to increase both matchday and non-matchday revenue, as many UK clubs have over the past decade.”
