Real overtake Man United as world's richest club
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-02-16 08:57

CHANGING GUARD

The report points to a possible shift away from the dominance of English and Italian clubs, with a rise in the status of French and German teams predicted.

"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," it says.

Stadia development of more than a billion euros ahead of the 2006 World Cup in Germany will also provide select Bundesliga club's "with the opportunity to increase both matchday and non-matchday revenue, as many UK clubs have over the past decade".

Real Madrid, though, remain the success story with a business model other clubs should be looking to emulate.

"Real have `broken the mould' in terms of revenue growth for football... it is the club's ability to grow commercial revenues that has guided it to the top of the Money League," said Deloitte sports business consultant Austin Houlihan.

"Whilst many clubs have championed the potential of capitalising on the interest in their club outside their domestic market, Real have been successful at actually realising this potential."