Economist: Spanish football dying

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It seems hard to believe in a football mad country such as Spain, where the sport is still the major topic of conversation, ahead of the economic crisis. But Gay de Liebana warns that the economic crisis is causing major problems to the majority of Spain's clubs.

"The Spanish league is not growing, there are only two teams, which are growing: Barca and Real Madrid," he said in a conference held in Barcelona.

"The remaining clubs are in the same position they were in five years ago. Spanish football is dying and I think it has around five years left to live and the grounds are showing me to be correct, because it is no longer attractive," continued Gay de Liebana.

Attendances are further being hit in Spain this season by the decision to screen live football on pay channels in eight different time slots, making it more tempting² for fans to stay at home rather than go to matches.

Meanwhile the constant changing of kick off times is also confusing and frustrating³ for supporters.

The economist highlights the unfair distribution of TV rights money, which is negotiated on a club by club basis.

This allows that big two clubs in Spain to use their weight and means Real Madrid and Barca take almost 50 percent of the total for the entire Primera Liga, almost four times more than any other club in Spain.

This contrasts with other leagues, where the clubs negotiate a contract as a whole and the division of money is much fairer.

Gay de Liebana highlights that between 2010 and 2011 Barca and Madrid were the only two teams in Spain capable of generating huge earnings⁴, with Barca bringing in 450.7 million euros and Madrid, 479.3 million euros.

The next highest earner was Valencia, who finished third in the BBVA Primera Liga. Valencia earned 119.6 million euros, while Atletico Madrid earned 99.9 million and Sevilla 82.9 million.

Reigning⁵ Europa League champions, Atletico Madrid have just had an embargo⁶ placed in their by UEFA because of unpaid⁷ debts, the same as Malaga, who last season finished fourth in Spain behind, Real Madrid, Barca and Valencia.

The economist responded to recent trends in Catalonia for independence from Spain, he stressed that should that happen and Barca were forced to play in a purely⁸ Catalan league the economic effects would be disastrous⁹ for the club, but that such a move would have negative results for Spain as well, as it would deprive the Primera Liga of its most attractive duel¹⁰.

Gay de Liebana believes part of the solution to the problem could be to expand the Spanish league into an 'Iberian' League, in which way the main Portuguese¹¹ clubs: Sporting Club of Portugal, Benfica and Porto could be included.

He believes that would increase the fanbase, attendances and the competitiveness of football in the region.

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