Barcelona VP Susana Monje said on Thursday, "FC Barcelona is financially in very good health. This is the best moment ever in the history of the Club." The club recorded revenue of €608M ($676M) for the '14-15 financial year and a budget of €633M ($704M) for the '15-16 year. The data will need to be approved by the club's Delegate Assembly on Sunday. Monje said of the club's approach to signing players, "We can sign and shall make an effort to do so, but we have to be prudent. The club has made profits, it is solid and that means we can cover the players' salaries. A possible renewal of Neymar Jr.'s contract is not included in the cost but the impact will be compensated for accountancy purposes by the increase in the amortization period." Regarding sponsorship, she said, "The budget does not include a possible improvement to the shirt sponsorship contract. Talks have not started with Nike regarding renewal, but we are in constant contact" (Barcelona).
AREA OF CONCERN: In Madrid, Irigoyen & Martín reported the club is "paying special attention to salaries." As a result of winning the triple last season, salaries (plus amortization) rose to 73% of revenue. For next season, the club is projected to drop the ratio of salary to revenue below 70%. Another cost that "shot up" for the club was legal fees. Between the FIFA and Neymar cases, Barcelona went from spending €1.4M in '13-14 in this area to €1.8M ($2M) during the past year (EL PAÍS, 10/22).
