In competitive sports, the strong are respected.

The reason why European football has been able to remain at the core of world football for so many years is inseparable from its well-functioning pyramid league system.

In addition to seeing the Champions League and top leagues that stand at the top of the pyramid, at every level below them, the seemingly insignificant mid- to lower-level, low-level, semi-professional, and even amateur teams make up the entire

Pillars of the pyramid system.

And what keeps the entire system running is competition!

From youth competitions on the roadside in rural areas, to amateur competitions, to professional competitions...

Every player and every team must go through countless trials before they finally have the opportunity to step onto the stage of the top league.

In the team, players compete with players; in the league, teams compete with teams; when zooming out to the entire Europe, it is competition between leagues and leagues, and between countries.

Fierce competition makes the entire European football world full of vitality all the time.

I can't imagine what it would be like if one day there was no competition in the entire European football world.

Gao Shen felt that it must be a nightmare for professional football!

…

In Gao Shen's previous life, many people only paid attention to the league rankings and Champions League qualifications, but it was easy to ignore the league's European War points, and he has said before that European War points are competition between leagues.

The spoils of competition are qualifications for the Champions League.

According to the current UEFA rules, the top three leagues in European competition points have four European competition qualifications. No, strictly speaking, it is 3.5, because the fourth-ranked team must participate in the peripheral qualifiers and win to enter the group.

race.

The fourth-ranked team only has 2.5, which is one less.

Many people may not realize how important this is to a league and a team.

According to Manchester United’s previously released financial reports, the Red Devils’ revenue on each match day exceeds 4 million euros.

What is this concept?

Just by selling tickets, selling jerseys, selling catering and VIP services, Manchester United can earn 4 million in one home game.

As long as they reach the Champions League group stage, even if they don't qualify, they will have to play at least three home games, which is 12 million euros.

Is that it?

No, where is this?

The Champions League revenue generally seen by the media and fans is the data released by UEFA, which only includes UEFA's share of broadcast fees and the share of the bonus pool.

The so-called bonus pool is the fee paid by the country when UEFA auctions the broadcast rights of the Champions League.

For example, after UEFA takes part of the money sold in England, the rest goes into the prize pool and is distributed to the Premier League teams every season.

Another thing is the bonus for participating and winning.

The data released by UEFA does not include match day income.

Let's not go into detail, let's just say that Manchester City's income from the Champions League last season, the game prize money was close to 40 million euros, plus the broadcast revenue, it exceeded 60 million euros.

Manchester City's home game day income is not as high as Manchester United's, but last season's six home games in the Champions League, the income was close to 20 million euros.

Calculated this way, the total is 80 million euros.

Remember, this is what you actually get.

What about potential?

For example, the value of players has soared, their commercial value has increased, and they have attracted commercial sponsorships...

All of this is not taken into account.

This is why all teams work so hard to participate in the Champions League.

After all, it's still money.

In the past, many people said that Premier League teams don't care about the Champions League. This is pure nonsense.

To play in the Champions League, the investment in the Premier League team is not large. At most, the players' appearance fees and bonuses are a bit more, but the actual income is equivalent to extra.

Let me ask, who has lost his mind and doesn’t want to play in the Champions League?

Arsenal are fighting tooth and nail to secure the top four and secure the top 16 of the Champions League. To put it bluntly, this is the most cost-effective way to play.

This is true for the team, and so is the league.

Serie A fell from third to fourth. It seems that it only lost one place, but in fact?

Teams participating in the Champions League must have a better lineup configuration, right?

Does the team lineup need to be thicker?

If you play in the Champions League and your income increases, you can spend more money on signings, right?

Although other teams in the same league have been poached, they have received a sum of money, so they can also sign in, right?

Just like this, going down layer by layer, the league's losses are far more than fans imagined.

Not to mention the economic and social benefits that will be stimulated by having a few more games.

In European football, professional football has never been just a sport, it is an industry.

A profiteering industry that harvests the whole world and is unfavorable!

…

Gao Shen and Ferguson are very clear about these principles.

Because of this, they all know that the leading team in Serie A will definitely increase their investment and strive to regain this Champions League qualification spot.

Serie A has increased its investment, and the Bundesliga will definitely increase its investment in order to ensure its points in the European competition.

This is competition!

Serie A and the Bundesliga have increased their investment, and the purchasing power of the Premier League has always been strong. In addition, the big tycoon Paris Saint-Germain of Ligue 1 will definitely grab people...

Under such circumstances, it is conceivable that European football will further launch a competition for players this season, and player transfer fees will follow suit and rise step by step.

This is the prediction that Gao Shen and Ferguson can deduce from the existing intelligence.

And if Ferguson only predicted it, then Gao Shen experienced it himself.

…

"Actually, you have a very good opportunity now."

During the chat, Gao Shen finally took out the wine he had hidden. After a few teasing remarks, Ferguson poured himself a glass and tasted it slowly, and the conversation started.

"I understand your thoughts, but I think you are still a bit conservative. With Leeds United's current strength, Premier League relegation is not a big problem. I even personally guess that if you don't sell people this summer, given your level, the new team will

Might even be in the top ten this season.”

That is the upper half.

This is similar to Gao Shen’s expectations.

"But have you ever thought about it? Taking this season as an example, the team at the bottom of the league can get at least 40 million pounds, and the 10th-ranked team should only get about 46 million pounds, which is an extra 6 million pounds.

.”

"Now, if your players can be sold for a higher price, as long as they can avoid relegation in the new season, or even if they cannot avoid relegation, so what? With your strength, after being relegated to the English Championship, isn't there still a big chance?

Is it possible to kill him back?"

"You know, the income of many Premier League teams is increasing, but the club's finances have not improved. Why?"

"Investment in signings, salary and bonuses." Gao Shen replied.

This is something everyone knows.

"Yes, but your Leeds United foundation is very good. As long as you properly control your salary, after being promoted to the Premier League, if nothing else, you can earn back at least a training base in the first season. This is still the most conservative estimate."

This does not include transfer income.

Currently, Wigan Athletic and Blackburn Rovers have the worst revenue capabilities in the Premier League, with annual revenues of around 55 million pounds, of which revenue from league broadcast rights and cup broadcast rights is approximately over 40 million pounds.

However, Leeds United’s matchday income is several times higher than that of Wigan Athletic and Blackburn Rovers. Because the White Rose’s football market is very hot, even if the price of tickets does not increase, it is estimated that it will be able to set a new record after being promoted to the Premier League.

new highs.

With the current salary structure of Leeds United, even if there is an appropriate salary increase after promotion to the Premier League, the proportion of salary in revenue will reach a very low proportion. This will allow a large surplus to be invested in the new training base.

Preparation.

This is actually no problem at all.

"You are also the head coach. It can be clearly seen from your positioning that you are knowledgeable. A new training base and even a new stadium are the future of a team. The game day income is higher than that of a strong team.

It does not account for a high proportion, but it is the real pillar."

Whether it is income from television broadcasts or commercial income, Manchester City surpasses Manchester United.

This is of course because the Abu Dhabi consortium has used many methods to increase Manchester City's commercial income.

But in terms of match day income, Manchester City is only a quarter of Manchester United.
To be continued...