tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post4962692917558671022..comments2024-02-29T09:58:18.342+01:00Comments on The Swiss Ramble: Is Football's Gravy Train Slowing Down?The Swiss Ramblerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11423088862174893998noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-76214466644904817152012-07-12T23:13:04.198+02:002012-07-12T23:13:04.198+02:00what like uniteds debt how legit is that and why i...what like uniteds debt how legit is that and why is it not in the FFP rules?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-83859602999610021232012-04-28T06:45:33.489+02:002012-04-28T06:45:33.489+02:00I would like to direct you to the case of Sports D...I would like to direct you to the case of Sports Direct Arena. Everyone calls it St James Park still, and this really deducts from the commercial value of naming rights.<br /><br />Arsenal were able to get away with it due to the fact that it was a new stadium. However, if there ever comes a time when the rights change, it would be hard to get a good deal out of it due to length of the previous deal, and how entrenched the title "Emirates Stadium" is.Lachlannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-92190600505574662722011-04-28T16:26:52.071+02:002011-04-28T16:26:52.071+02:00When I first started watching football in the 60&#...When I first started watching football in the 60's admission was 4 shillings (20p) standing. I understand that most European prices were in that area at that time.<br /><br />Notwithstanding the fact that most German Stadia are larger than PL, I think it is feasible that if the Germans wanted to add €5 to ticket prices, it would not necessarily have a major impact on attendances, and they would still only be paying about 40% of PL prices.<br /><br />If the Germans ever decided to follow the British model on pricing, I suspect that Man U and Arsenal would be in the lower half of the Deloittes list.SpurredoninDublinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-47355414389489185862011-04-27T19:24:21.920+02:002011-04-27T19:24:21.920+02:00@SpurredoninDublin,
Thanks for the very kind word...@SpurredoninDublin,<br /><br />Thanks for the very kind words.<br /><br />I'm not sure that German clubs will ever increase their prices to PL levels, as it would be so much against their culture. It's also fair to say that the full stadiums help the commercial appeal, thus boosting that revenue stream.<br /><br />As far as I'm aware, Borussia Dortmund is the only Bundesliga club quoted on a stock exchange.<br /><br />By the way, I've written detailed articles on both Dortmund and Schalke, which you can find in the list of clubs on the left side of the blog.The Swiss Ramblerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11423088862174893998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-15919918682627527262011-04-27T17:57:58.135+02:002011-04-27T17:57:58.135+02:00I am beginning to wonder if there is anything you ...I am beginning to wonder if there is anything you don't know about football finance.<br /><br />One thing is clear and that is if you want to make a lot of money from investing in football teams, stay away from the PL. My team (Spurs) is currently valued at £130 mill, and in a typical year, we make a profit or loss in the region of £5mill, so in a good year, 4% before dividend distributions.<br /><br />The use of titles like "Rich list" is very misleading, because effectively, the money is spent as soon as it is earned. I have major problems explaining to my fellow fans why we cant afford to buy the most of the names that the media claim we are tracking because of wages as well as the price.<br /><br />Looking at the German model, it is scary to think that if they decided to charge PL prices and spend like we do, that they probably fill 15 out of 20 places on the Deloittes list.<br /><br />I know that Schalke is owned by the fans, and was wondering if any of the Bundesliga clubs are on the stock market.SpurredoninDublinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-72359166437470211812011-04-01T20:40:49.141+02:002011-04-01T20:40:49.141+02:00Hmm, that?s some cool information. I would search ...Hmm, that?s some cool information. I would search on Google to find other relevant articles. Actually, I came across your blog on Google Blog Search. I?m going to add your RSS feed to my reader. Continue posting please!<br /><br /><a href="http://nbwhp.org/#988" rel="nofollow">online pharmacy</a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-53557685834784822012011-03-24T15:35:45.714+01:002011-03-24T15:35:45.714+01:00Swiss Rambler, I like the topic and the general is...Swiss Rambler, I like the topic and the general issues you took on in this post. There are different angles to consider when it isn't an analysis of one particular team, and I found this very engaging.<br /><br />Since I started reading your blog over a year ago now, I have been interested in the question of why German and other continental teams seem to outperform English teams commercially. I think a study, not just of Bayern, but why Bayern and the Bundesliga do so well commercially would be really informative.Limestonegunnernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-18647491031977759772011-03-14T14:47:39.550+01:002011-03-14T14:47:39.550+01:00Marek
I disagree about the worldwide viewing figur...Marek<br />I disagree about the worldwide viewing figures - bottom line is Germany has 110m very rich inhabitants - England (not UK) has only 55m (not quite so rich)and they are the prime markets.<br />The worldwide reach is key when selling the TV rights - less so when selling the shirt!Pikemannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-30932641848211781672011-03-14T14:44:30.820+01:002011-03-14T14:44:30.820+01:00Staying with the issue of sponsors names on shirts...Staying with the issue of sponsors names on shirts there is a very good podcast on Freakonomics Radio about why the NFL doesn't sell the rights - and it's not as much to do with tradition as you amy think!<br />Unfortunatly I cannot find the name or link but I'll get it off my iPod and post it here.<br /><br />Mr Swiss Ramble - it's just the sort of think (I guess) you will like!)Pikemannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-52147500267090035442011-03-14T00:54:04.636+01:002011-03-14T00:54:04.636+01:00I like the quote by Alan Sugar. I get so bored wit...I like the quote by Alan Sugar. I get so bored with premier league clubs searching for more money because we know that it will go to the players.<br /><br />As for the argument that the greater commercial revenues of German clubs is because of that country's bigger population, I think that also we have to consider the worldwide viewing figures. Here the EPL is well ahead of the Bundesliga. So perhaps the population argument is not so compelling.Mareknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-92058796773370383032011-03-13T16:52:21.041+01:002011-03-13T16:52:21.041+01:00"Clearly, you don’t want too many bankers and..."Clearly, you don’t want too many bankers and other corporate types killing the atmosphere at the ground, but an effective balance can be struck"<br /><br />I don't think Arsenal have achieved this balance. The middle tier has all but killed the atmosphere at the Emirates.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-22792448347003289412011-03-13T15:41:13.222+01:002011-03-13T15:41:13.222+01:00the budesliga is quickly catching up with the pl. ...the budesliga is quickly catching up with the pl. for a start they broadcast all their matches live on overseas pay tv channels and have english-speaking commentators. here in africa all budesliga matches are live on supersport on DSTV and unlike sky commentators their commentators are decent,polite and unbiased.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-11994280577388688222011-03-12T22:42:34.292+01:002011-03-12T22:42:34.292+01:00@KB Difficult to imagine football shirts without t...@KB Difficult to imagine football shirts without the main sponsor. It actually brings in a lot of (much needed) money for the top teams (20 million pounds a year for Liverpool, probably the same for Man Utd). One exception was Barcelona which actually paid UNICEF 1 million a year to have their name on the Barca shirts. This is coming to an end next season as Qatar money (25 million a year) seems more important. <br />If you look at french team kits, they will have sponsors all over the place (not pretty!)Frednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-12591292745007118762011-03-11T23:45:41.723+01:002011-03-11T23:45:41.723+01:00Mr Rambler, many thanks for your prompt tip. Worke...Mr Rambler, many thanks for your prompt tip. Worked a dream and made my day.Scott Oliverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13538172265090774038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-43198030812905449122011-03-11T21:24:43.462+01:002011-03-11T21:24:43.462+01:00I forgot to mention when I first started watching ...I forgot to mention when I first started watching football after the 2006 World Cup I was amazed that clubs not only had sponsors on their jerseys but also that they hade a company's name across their chest instead of their own. Even when the NHL was having money issues they still refused to advertise on their jerseys. It's one thing to have the jersey maker's logo but another to have Samsung or Gazprom across their chest. I get that some of the poorer teams need the extra cash but I wish a team like Chelsea or Arsenal didn't. Either put your team name on the jersey or at least go the Aston Villa route of giving it to a charity. <br /><br />If I owned a football team the stadium name would be dedicated to the community and fans and not a local advertiser and I'd certainly have zero ads on the jersey.KBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00140063912226053155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-11543794864104358672011-03-11T21:15:57.043+01:002011-03-11T21:15:57.043+01:00Great article as usual. Three things I'd like ...Great article as usual. Three things I'd like to add though...<br /><br />1. Other leagues won't be able to easily grow in the US market. As an American I have only ever been interested in the EPL as a league. Of course I watch Barca and Real Madrid from time to time and some big clashes in Serie A but I don't watch Lazio vs. Sampdoria but I do watch Everton vs. Sunderland. I don't know if it's the language barrier or a closer affinity to England but 95% of the football fans I know in the US support a British team. And the other 5% like one of the elites like AC MIlan. Maybe with the growing hispanic community (in terms of population and wealth) La Liga might be able to do okay in the US but the Mexican league is pretty entertaining and is on free throughout the US. Most weekends I can see 3-4 Mexican games and I'm in DC, which isn't known for it's Hispanic population. I've tried to watch Bundesliga matches in English but they just come off as boring. I don't know if it's the quality on the field, boring commentary or what but I always fall asleep. <br /><br />2. I don't get why Murdoch doesn't make Sky Sports a cable channel in the US. Yes he has Fox Soccer but that channel plays contests from all leagues. ESPN rarely shows games on TV same with Fox Sports and I think there is a huge hole in the US market for Sky. Like I said in point #1 US football fans like English matches and seeing only 1 match a week isn't enough for anyone I know. I think 80% of the games I see I watch illegally online because I can't see it in the US on TV if I wanted to. I hate Murdoch but normally he's business savvy but I don't get why nobody has filled this growing US void. Imagine the money he (and the premier league) could make!<br /><br />3. I know some teams have started their own TV channels (Chelsea TV) but is that available as a cable channel in England? The NYY make their money because every resident in NYC pays $1 a month for the channel and because the Yankees sell commercial space. It is a legitimate TV channel in NYC. I would think that in London or Manchester the big teams could get away with a full time subscription TV channel that shows men's/women's/amateur matches, replays, team interviews, shows old matches, etc. <br /><br />Thanks for the hard work!KBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00140063912226053155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-38832012409567464962011-03-11T08:37:06.835+01:002011-03-11T08:37:06.835+01:00@Anonymous (18:10),
I wrote about Bayern Munich i...@Anonymous (18:10),<br /><br />I wrote about Bayern Munich in some detail last year, which will answer some of your queries. You can find the post here:<br /><br />http://swissramble.blogspot.com/2010/06/how-can-bayern-munich-pay-franck-ribery.htmlThe Swiss Ramblerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11423088862174893998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-71585882657333013982011-03-11T08:34:05.727+01:002011-03-11T08:34:05.727+01:00@Anonymous (10:11),
Key points:
- 18 of the 20 t...@Anonymous (10:11),<br /><br />Key points:<br /><br />- 18 of the 20 teams in the 2009/10 Money League were also there in the previous season<br />- The new arrivals are Stuttgart (19th) and Aston Villa (20th).<br />- The teams dropping out are Werder Bremen (previously 17th) and Borussia Dortmund (19th).<br />- Top 6 teams are unchanged.<br />- Highest climbers: Manchester City (up 9 places), Tottenham Hotspur (up 3), AC Milan (up 3).<br />- Largest fallers: AS Roma (down 6 places), Juventus (down 2), Hamburg (down 2).The Swiss Ramblerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11423088862174893998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-7163726484133031702011-03-11T08:27:48.576+01:002011-03-11T08:27:48.576+01:00@scott oliver,
Yes, that's true. My workaroun...@scott oliver,<br /><br />Yes, that's true. My workaround is as follows:<br /><br />1. Insert image, which will then be automatically be posted to the top of the page (as you say)<br /><br />2. Select image. Then cut and paste it to the right place in your post.<br /><br />It's a bit clumsy, but it does work.The Swiss Ramblerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11423088862174893998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-55710625781810250482011-03-11T04:12:29.235+01:002011-03-11T04:12:29.235+01:00Dear Mr Ramble, I very much enjoy your highly info...Dear Mr Ramble, I very much enjoy your highly informative blog. However, my question is very much off-topic (I cannot find a means of contact): how, using google blogger, do you format the text so you can include several images within one post, at the correct place, too? When I add an image, the program just automatically bunts it to the top of the article/post...Scott Oliverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13538172265090774038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-37716218082626726072011-03-11T04:11:38.613+01:002011-03-11T04:11:38.613+01:00This comment has been removed by the author.Scott Oliverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13538172265090774038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-70424651479315497082011-03-10T21:12:36.250+01:002011-03-10T21:12:36.250+01:00Another great piece, SR. Just a few comments:
- ...Another great piece, SR. Just a few comments:<br /><br />- I'm surprised that supporters are so against selling name rights to stadiums when they buy replica kits of their clubs plastered with companies, logos and brands. <br /><br />- One difficulty for the other European leagues besides the language barrier is the differences in how the sport is played. Compare the tough "Get stuck in" mindset in England vs the accepted "If you ain't cheating, you ain't trying" mindset in Spain. Same sport, different ways to play it...and not every type is palatable to all.<br /><br />- It's going to be interesting how the Prem pushes for bigger stadiums in the next few years. With space in London at a premium and construction down in this global economy, there may not be much desire for gobs of empty space where White Hart Lane or Stamford Bridge used to be.NOLA_Fredohttp://www.twitter.com/NOLA_Fredonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-63711334291941511482011-03-10T18:10:23.748+01:002011-03-10T18:10:23.748+01:00An excellent piece, as always! I think theres a de...An excellent piece, as always! I think theres a definite consensus here - if you could do a piece on Bundesliga and how its' clubs have achieved such astounding commercial revenues (FC Bayern in particular), I think everyone would be very interested. Am I right in thinking Bayern have very lucrative deals with Audi and Adidas, and that the 2 firms part-own the club?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-84935955763346803412011-03-10T16:28:57.127+01:002011-03-10T16:28:57.127+01:00@Joe,
Germany has professional Ice Hockey, Basket...@Joe,<br /><br />Germany has professional Ice Hockey, Basketball and Handball leagues, not to mention strong interest for F1, golf (Kaymer) and wintersports such as ski-jumping, biathlon, down- hill, etc, which are hugely popular and get a lot of air- time on free- tv. So plenty of alternatives for sponsors there. Football is of course the dominant sport, but its not true that there are no competing spectator sports.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-487486960623783530.post-14524073722472125562011-03-10T15:37:53.486+01:002011-03-10T15:37:53.486+01:00The German commercial figures are impressive and l...The German commercial figures are impressive and like Chelsea Charger, I attribute them to a bigger population with a huge middle class. <br /><br />Add to it the fact that they don't have any competing spectator sports as with rugby in France and England apart from Ice hockey which to my knowledge does not have a well developed league comparable to other northern European nations. Its a great position for their league to be in as it also means their big companies also have less choice in spending their marketing euros.<br /><br />On a side note America has the biggest middle class in the world and has sent more spectators to World Cups since USA 94 than any other country. That's why I find it funny when people pour scorn on their soccer ambitions. As with the Bundesliga, the capacity for fans to spend is there because of a relatively well-off and huge population. It's just a matter of time.Joehttp://www.charakupa.comnoreply@blogger.com