Gaining a place in the UEFA Champions League, after its 1-1 draw with Red Bull Salzburg last night, will make this season a record one for Hapoel Tel Aviv, at least financially. According to estimates, the club's revenue this season will be at least NIS 80-85 million.
The Champions League campaign alone will bring in nearly NIS 55 million. Reaching the group stage is worth €7.1 million; a grant for broadcasting rights some €1.5 million. Ticket sales and subscriptions will depend on the stadium Bloomfield (capacity 15,000) will be worth €1.5 million, while Ramat Gan (capacity 40, 000) will be worth €2.5 million.
Apart from the European campaign, the reds will also have regular revenue from the local Premier League, expected to be around NIS 30 million.
These, it must be remembered, are minimum amounts. Hapoel can substantially boost its revenue if it manages to gain points in the group stage a draw is worth a €400,000 bonus, and a win €800,000.
The club's budget this season is NIS 55 million, but it will clearly rise following the success in qualifying for the Champions League. Owners Moni Harel and Eli Tabib have already announced that they will invest in buying players for the Champions League, and the clubs operating expenses are also expected to rise considerably for the European campaign.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on August 25, 2010
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