Barcelona announced it closed out the 2021/22 financial year with profits of $98 million and a turnover of about $1 billion. The Catalan club also approved a budget for the 2022/23 season that includes an operating income limit of $1.2 billion. They even predict a profit of around $273 million for the current campaign.
Barcelona sold a large chunk of its television rights to support these financial gains. Global investment firm Sixth Street purchased 10% of these rights in June, just before the end of the 2021/22 financial year. Then, the company bought an additional 15% the following month. Total income from the two deals was nearly $500 million.
Orpheus Media also went on to buy two 24.5% stakes in Barca Studios this summer as well. The club reportedly made about $200 million from this deal.
Barcelona and the necessary profits
Barca essentially had to make these deals in order to to sign and register new players this season. The club spent big on Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and Jules Koundé. They also brought in four quality players on free transfers as well. Franck Kessié, Andreas Christensen, Hector Bellerín and Marcos Alonso all managed to join Barca without the club needing to pay a fee. The club, however, has to pay these players a significant salary.
Although they have brought in massive profits to sign these players, LaLiga warned Barcelona to lower expenditures in the near future. This was mostly due to the fact that raising money this summer came from one-time deals.
“Barcelona’s limit is [up to $656m] and they needed this full amount, that’s why they were still registering players at the last minute,” LaLiga president Javier Tebas recently claimed.
“Without the [sale of assets], it may not be so high next season. They may have to reduce their wage bill, sell players or even [sell more] assets. I think [Barca’s vice president Eduard] Romeu has said they need it to be at around $400 and something million. But they know all about this, it will be difficult for them to maintain [the new limit] next season.”
PHOTO: IMAGO / Action Plus
