Striking Super Lig report from UEFA: Majority of revenue goes to salaries

UEFA has published its European Club Finance and Investment Landscape Report, which sheds light on the financial situation of clubs in Europe. While the report examines the financial data of the Turkish, Belgian, Dutch, Portuguese, and Scottish leagues in detail, it includes striking findings regarding the financial structure of Super Lig clubs in particular.

PLAYER SALARIES AT AN UNSUSTAINABLE LEVEL

According to the report, player salaries in Europe's top-tier leagues increased by 6.5% in 2023 compared to the previous year, reaching a total of 18 billion euros. UEFA stated that while many clubs are trying to keep these salaries under control, the situation has reached an "unsustainable" level.

Super Lig clubs became the league with the highest rate in Europe by spending 88% of their revenue on player salaries. For comparison, this rate remained at 66% for clubs in Italy, and below 60% in Germany, Austria, Denmark, Norway, and Russia.

The ratio of player salaries to club revenue in other major leagues is ranked as follows:

Belgium: 86%

Portugal: 75%

Netherlands: 71%

Scotland: 63%

As of 2023, the total player salary expenditure of Super Lig clubs was calculated at 405 million euros. In the same year, player salaries were at the level of 391 million euros in Belgium, 319 million in Portugal, 292 million in the Netherlands, and 121 million euros in Scotland.

SUPER LIG CLUBS' REVENUE IS 534 MILLION EUROS

In 2023, the total revenue of Super Lig clubs was announced as 534 million euros. This figure remained lower than the total revenue of the Dutch Eredivisie clubs (678 million euros).

Average club revenues were ranked as follows:

Netherlands: 38 million euros

Portugal: 34 million euros

Belgium: 32 million euros

Scotland: 30 million euros

Turkey: 27 million euros

While it was stated that the average match ticket revenue for a club in the Super Lig in 2023 was 500 thousand euros, it was noted that Galatasaray entered the top 20 clubs in Europe in ticket revenue.

GALATASARAY IN 16TH PLACE

The report emphasized that Galatasaray ranked 16th in Europe with 59 million euros in ticket revenue. The revenue obtained per match by Super Lig clubs in the 2023-2024 season is ranked as follows:

Galatasaray: 2.3 million euros

Fenerbahçe: 1.5 million euros

Beşiktaş: 1.1 million euros

On the other hand, it was stated that Galatasaray earns an average of 72 euros per fan per match. The club that generates the most matchday revenue in Europe was Real Madrid with 7.4 million euros.

BROADCAST REVENUES REMAIN LOW IN THE SUPER LIG

According to the UEFA report, among Europe's second five major leagues, the country with the highest broadcast revenue in 2023 was Portugal (182 million euros). Turkey lagged behind in this area, ranking 4th with 74 million euros.

Total broadcast revenues in other countries are ranked as follows:

Belgium: 96 million euros

Netherlands: 80 million euros

Scotland: 32 million euros

The average broadcast revenue of Super Lig clubs was calculated at 3.4 million euros.

The commercial revenues of Super Lig clubs were also included in the report. As of 2024, Galatasaray ranks 14th in Europe with 140 million euros, while Fenerbahçe is in 17th place with 109 million euros.

In addition, the revenues distributed to clubs by UEFA in 2023 are ranked as follows:

Portugal: 195 million euros

Netherlands: 99 million euros

Belgium: 82 million euros

Scotland: 66 million euros

Turkey: 61 million euros

The report stated that the operating expenses of the clubs are also increasing rapidly, and it was emphasized that these expenses consume 34% of club revenue in the Super Lig. This rate is ranked as follows in other leagues:

Belgium: 50%

Netherlands: 45%

Portugal: 42%

Scotland: 36%

News Source: 12punto