The exact amount of money expected to flow into a revived Super League has been the topic that draws constant scrutiny, with speculation often running ahead of verified figures. To date, the sole documented source presenting concrete figures sources the German newspaper Der Spiegel, which reviewed the 167-page framework agreement signed by the twelve founding clubs. The report outlines the economic terms and requirements tied to joining a European Super League project, based on the documented framework and related financial commitments. [Der Spiegel]
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The plan circulated that the original framework anticipated a substantial distribution of revenue among the participating clubs. In the contract for the twelve founders, the proposal cited a money pool in the billions and a split that would concentrate a large portion of income among the core clubs while still rewarding other participants during certain seasons. The distribution pattern included a large allocation for the founders, with a significant share reserved for the broader group of clubs involved in the competition and a share linked to performance and audience metrics. The described model suggested that overall revenue would be markedly larger than what is currently allocated by UEFA for similar competitions. [Der Spiegel]
Who would fund the project?
Behind the Super League proposal was involvement from a major financial institution based in the United States. The framework describes a lending arrangement that would provide an initial capital boost to launch the competition and to support the participating clubs. The financial backer is described as providing an initial loan and liquidity to help cover start-up costs and to smooth the early phases of the project. [Der Spiegel]
What would the European Super League include? What would be the impact for Spanish clubs and when could it start?
The agreement outlined a plan to return a substantial amount of capital to the lender over a multi-year horizon, with scheduled repayments that would be completed within a defined timeframe. The expected annual returns were framed as consistent payments over a 23-year period, with the total project anticipated to generate multiple billions in revenue when considering the loan and interest. [Der Spiegel]
Financial controls and luxury spending
Alongside revenue sharing, the framework emphasized fiscal discipline modeled after established financial controls in football, with a focus on preventing overspending. A cap was proposed for sports expenditure, including player wages, transfers, and agent fees, to keep clubs from spending beyond sustainable limits. This was intended to ensure long-term stability even as teams competed at the highest level. [Der Spiegel]
Tax harmonization and competitiveness
The plan also contemplated a unified tax approach aimed at leveling income tax treatment for salaries across participating clubs. The intent was to prevent any competitive disadvantage stemming from national tax regimes and to ensure a more uniform financial baseline for teams operating in different European markets. [Der Spiegel]
Solidarity and support funds
Another notable element was a solidarity mechanism designed to support smaller clubs and broader football-related initiatives. The proposal estimated a dedicated fund drawn from a portion of television revenues to aid the broader football ecosystem. This fund was presented as a way to balance the financial landscape and preserve a sense of shared responsibility within the league. [Der Spiegel]