Football Benchmark

💰 Historically, winter spending accounted for just 15-20% of summer activity in the selected leagues on aggregate. This is largely because clubs are hesitant to make major squad changes during the season unless forced by injuries, poor form, or unexpected opportunities. The shorter window and its limited time for new signings to integrate or overspending during the summer further contribute to a more cautious approach compared to the summer market. 📈 During this winter transfer window, the expenditure reached €1.46 bn in UEFA first divisions and the English Championship. This represents the highest winter spending in seven seasons, aligning with historical averages as winter spending reached 17% of summer expenditure. The total figure even surpasses the 2022/23 winter window following the FIFA World Cup when Chelsea FC alone spent over €300 million. 🔗 Read the full article about the winter transfer window: https://lnkd.in/dG4svria #transfer #football

🆕 After a summer window that saw a 10% drop in spending, the winter window increased by 8% compared to last season, reaching EUR 1.46 billion. 🔹 Our latest piece reviews the transfer activity of UEFA’s top divisions and the English Championship during the 2024/25 winter window. 🔹 Winter transfer expenditure hit a seven-year high, reaching EUR 1.46 billion across UEFA’s top divisions and the English Championship. 🔹 Manchester City Football Club scored the second-highest winter spend in history (EUR 218m), just behind Chelsea FC’s record-breaking spree in 2023. 🔹 Top clubs did not dominate this winter transfer window, as several emerging actors such as Stade Rennais F.C. (EUR 73m) and Como (EUR 48m) took center stage in terms of expenditure. 📬Stay informed about the football business landscape by subscribing to our newsletter for more exclusive content and expert insights. 💬Share your thoughts on this topic in the comments! #football #business #footballbenchmark

🌍 Today, FIFPRO have released the 2024 African Player Workload Report, the latest in their line of publications discussing professional footballers’ workload issues. ⚽️ We are proud that this pilot study was developed in cooperation with Football Benchmark. Our analysis put the spotlight on a sample of Africa-based players in detail for the first time ever, uncovering their diverse match and travel load situation, as well as unique factors that affect players and competition organizers of the continent. 🔍 Explore workload, match scheduling and other challenges that shape the past, present and future of African football at this link: https://lnkd.in/dNNKrVrc #football #fifpro #footballbenchmark #africa

🔵 Chelsea FC have set a new benchmark in women's football by signing U.S. defender Naomi Girma from San Diego Wave FC for a world-record transfer fee of approximately €1.05 million. This landmark transfer reflects the the growing financial commitment by some of the top European clubs. 💰 All of the most expensive women’s transfers ever have all happened in 2024 and 2025, confirming the recent surge in transfer fees. #chelsea #football

🇪🇸 Real Madrid remains a unique platform for the creation of football global icons. 📱 Remarkably, 8 of the top 10 LaLiga players who gained the most followers in 2024 were from Real Madrid, reinforcing the idea that success on the pitch drives global recognition. 📈 No player exemplified this better than 19-year-old Arda Güler. After joining Real Madrid in 2023, he began 2024 with 7.7 million followers across all social platforms. Following a historic year for the club (Champions League, La Liga, Intercontinental Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and Spanish Super Cup winners), his social media presence skyrocketed by 315% to nearly 32 million followers. #realmadrid #football #socialmedia

🇫🇷 The DNCG, the organization responsible for overseeing the financial operations of French clubs, has reportedly projected that clubs in Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 will collectively experience operating losses totaling €1.2 billion for the 2024/25 season.   💰 This comes just 2 years after private equity firm CVC invested €1.5 billion (the clubs shared around €1.2 billion) in return for a 13% stake in the new commercial subsidiary managing TV rights, valuing the entire capital of the commercial subsidiary at €11.5bn.   In addition to the drop in media revenue, the majority of clubs no longer benefit from the CVC revenues that brought them €472 million in 2022-2023 and €550 million last season. In 2024-2025, there is only a balance of €136 million left for European clubs, mainly.   In this context, successful player trading will be once again critical to minimise French football financial losses.   📉 The combined operating loss of all Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 clubs has grown by 259% from the 2014/15 season to the 2022/23 season (most recent published annual report), peaking at a -€1289 million loss in 2020/21. #dncg #ligue1 #football #footballfinance

🇮🇹 New Balance is back in Italian football, and it’s making a statement by becoming the new kit supplier for reigning UEFA Europa League champions Atalanta BC! The partnership will take effect from the 2025/26 season, ending Joma’s reign as the club’s kit supplier since 2017, with their current extended deal worth €3.7 million per year. ⚽️ For New Balance, this move signals a bold return to Serie A, a market renowned for its passion and deep-rooted football culture. Partnering with Atalanta BC showcases the brand’s commitment to elevating its presence in the sport and connecting with fans on and off the pitch. 👕 The competition among kit suppliers in Serie A is intense, with the league being the most diversified ‘Big Five’ league when it comes to suppliers. Among the 20 teams, 12 different brands are represented as kit suppliers. Recent deals, such as Juventus’s €53.5 million per year agreement with Adidas, Inter Milan’s partnership with Nike valued at €30 million annually and AC Milan’s €30 million per year deal with PUMA, highlight the significant investments brands are making to secure visibility in one of the most prestigious football leagues. New Balance’s entry into this competitive arena with Atalanta demonstrates its ambition to challenge the status quo and carve out its space in the Italian market. #atalanta #seriea #newbalance #football

💰 In the world of football transfers, release clauses are one of the most fascinating tools for players, clubs, and agents. For those unfamiliar, a release clause is a specific amount of money written into a player’s contract that allows them to leave their club if another team meets the price. ⚖️ But release clauses aren’t just for clubs, they’re also a way for players to retain some control over their careers. By negotiating a reasonable clause, a player can ensure they aren’t tied down against their will if the right opportunity comes along. ⚽️ Take Jamal Musiala and Erling Haaland, for example. Reports suggest that these young superstars are pushing for release clauses in their new contracts. Why? Because they understand the importance of flexibility in their peak years. For Haaland, a well-placed clause allowed him to join Manchester City from Dortmund, ensuring his career progression remained in his hands. Meanwhile, Jamal Musiala and his representatives are pushing for a €175M release clause in his next Bayern Munich contract, allowing him to pursue a new move, should an attractive opportunity arise. 🇪🇸 And while release clauses are optional in most leagues, they’re a legal requirement in Spain's La Liga, ensuring the players the same rights as any other employee in the country, to leave for a better job. And looking at the highest release clauses in football (€1 billion), it becomes evident that they all belong to La Liga players. However, these astronomical figures are often more symbolic than realistic, designed to deter potential suitors and underline a club’s commitment to keeping their talent. In recent years, the desire for release clauses has been largely fueled by Neymar’s €222M transfer to PSG, with the French club paying his release clause, in a move which left FC Barcelona stunned, as they thought they'd set an unmatchable price for the Brazilian. ⭐️ With transfer fees skyrocketing, release clauses are becoming an increasingly critical part of modern contract negotiations, allowing clubs to protect their investments and players gain leverage over their future. Therefore, we wouldn’t be surprised if more top talents started prioritizing this in their contracts. #football #laliga #realmadrid #fcbarcelona

🆕 In this week’s edition, Football Benchmark has partnered with the boutique law firm specialised in sports law, Cavaliero & Cambreleng, to provide an in-depth analysis of a major development in football’s regulatory landscape: the evolution of FIFA’s Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP) following a landmark Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruling in the Lassana Diarra case. 📬Stay informed about the football business landscape by subscribing to our newsletter for more exclusive content and expert insights. 💬Share your thoughts on this topic in the comments! #football #business #footballbenchmark

🇸🇦 Women's football in Saudi Arabia has experienced remarkable transformation in recent years. A new report by NEOM, highlights significant milestones and the promising future of the sport in the Kingdom. 📈 Since the establishment of a dedicated women's football department at the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) six years ago, the number of registered Saudi players witnessed a 150% increase from 2021 to 2023, reaching almost 1000 players. Additionally, the number of female players in Schools League grew from 0 in 2021 to an impressive 70.000+ in 2023. ⚽️ Key developments include the launch of the Saudi Women’s Premier League, the formation of the Women’s National Team, and the establishment of six regional training centers. 💰 The commercialization of women's football has also attracted major global brands, with Lay’s partnering with the SAFF Women’s Premier League and Rexona becoming an Official Partner of the Saudi Arabia Women’s National Team in October 2024. #football #saudiarabia