La Liga Athletic President Josu Urrutia Reports Debt Has Dropped From $46M-$23M

In a vote by team members a year ago, La Liga side Athletic Bilbao President Josu Urrutia "received favorable responses from 465 voters, compared to just 77 negative votes," according to Jon Zubieta of MUNDO DEPORTIVO. After presenting this year's budget, "459 voters indicated approval of Urrutia, while 77 gave negative responses." Urrutia addressed "the team's finances for 40 minutes" and said that the club's debt has been reduced from €34M-€17M ($46M-$23M). Urrutia said, "It is a perfectly acceptable debt, but this does not mean that we have to launch campaigns on the fly." Urrutia added, "We have a very solid balance. The prospects are attractive." Urrutia was "pleased that of Athletic's 199 players on its various teams, 175 are from the local province of Biscay" (MUNDO DEPORTIVO, 10/15).