A report carried out by Deloitte on Barcelona’s economic impact on the city of Barcelona during the '14-15 season reflected a significant increase in wealth generated by the club with respect to the study corresponding to the '13-14 season. The most recent study shows that Barcelona's economic impact was €906M ($1.02B), representing 1.5% of the city's GDP, a 19.3% increase from the '13-14 season, when the club generated €759M (1.2% of GDP). The report was presented on Tuesday at an event organized by Barcelona Cultura. Participating in the event were Barcelona Cultura President Albert Augustí and club VP of Finance Susana Monje. The results also highlight the effect on employment, with 16,620 jobs accounted for in the city thanks to the club’s activities, equivalent to 18% of those registered as unemployed in Barcelona. The number of jobs represents a 9% increase with respect to the '13-14 season, which accounted for 15,265 jobs (Barcelona).
MONJE ADDRESSES NEYMAR: ESPN reported Monje said that Neymar's contract renewal "is up to the coaching staff and is not a question of club spending limits." The forward's current deal with the club ends in June '18 and talks over an extension "have been ongoing for several months" amid rumors that potential suitors such as Real Madrid, Paris St. Germain or ManU could pay his €190M ($214M) release clause this summer. The 24-year-old's former agent, Wagner Ribeiro, said last week that Neymar is happy to stay at Barcelona despite the interest from "three big clubs." Monje: "Neymar's contract renewal is a sporting conversation. Economically, you have all known the margins for some time. We have not studied the impact of a hypothetical loss of Neymar [to Barcelona] because we aren't contemplating that." She added, "We have spoken many times about the amount of money that we have to sign him or not sign him. The coaching staff has asked us to make an effort. We know how we have to position ourselves and then, ticket sales are another subject. If we need them, they are always there. But I don't want to speak of specific sums" (ESPN, 6/21). In Barcelona, Lluís Mascaró reported Neymar "is on the verge of signing a renewal with Barcelona." In fact, "there is an agreement between the parties" to extend the contract until '22. But "the offers Neymar is receiving from other clubs have generated concern for Barcelona, which recognizes it is not capable of matching those offers." Club sources said, "Neymar has to choose between earning a fortune that Barcelona will never be able to pay or earning a little bit less but being happy playing football" (SPORT, 6/20).
