The financing mechanism of professional sports clubs in the near future may undergo significant changes. Russian President Vladimir Putin supported the idea of creating a single fund, the funds from which would be distributed evenly among participants in professional leagues. Large companies will make deductions to it with the direct participation of not only sports federations, but also the Russian government.
This initiative came from the governor of the Nizhny Novgorod region, Gleb Nikitin. As an illustrative example, he cited football and hockey, where many teams lose their professional status every season due to serious funding problems. At the moment, not many clubs can boast of support for state corporations. Most of them are forced to be content with deductions from regional budgets. The current president called the current situation “a purse competition”.
In turn, the President of the Russian Football Union (RFU) Alexander Dyukov promised to consider this proposal at a meeting of the organization. At the same time, he stated the need to think over a system of competent distribution of funds from the fund, as large sponsors now play an important role in team management.
“Of course, a very important issue is the creation of such a management system that would really ensure the effective and high-quality use of these funds to support various clubs,” Dyukov emphasized.
In Russia, the idea of creating such a fund was perceived ambiguously. Some experts expressed confidence that it would lead to an improvement in the situation in football, while others, on the contrary, doubted its appropriateness. So, according to the football agent Dmitry Selyuk, such an initiative has been asking for a long time.
“Today, most of the money goes to clubs from regional or city budgets, especially in the lower leagues. With such a fund, part of the funds could be transferred to those in need. In general, it is necessary not only to attract large companies, but also to give them tax breaks. Then they will have the motivation to invest both in football and in sports in general, ”Selyuk explained in an interview with RT.
The agent emphasized the importance of a transparent mechanism for the operation of such a system, in which there should be no place for corruption.
“This is a double-edged sword. In my opinion, as a model of its functioning, we need to take how the funds from television shows are distributed in England. Those who win get more. It will be right. You see, any reform that creates a systematic football is always a plus, ”added Selyuk.
The honored trainer Valery Nepomnyashchy adheres to a similar point of view.
“Honestly, the emergence of this idea has long been clear to me, and I welcome it. I think that it will benefit. Creating a fund can make the situation in clubs more predictable, as well as increase control over their budgets. State assistance in this matter is very important, as financing from corporations will be legally fixed, ”the specialist noted.
There is concern that having a fund will equalize club budgets. In turn, this can lead to a decrease in the quality of Russian football, since top clubs will lose the opportunity to buy expensive players, which means they will become less competitive in the international arena. Honorary President of the RFU Vyacheslav Koloskov believes that the redistribution will not affect the state of affairs in the RPL.
“The idea itself is good, sound. But there cannot be egalitarianism. Still, sponsors are sponsors. Russian Railways, as funded by Lokomotiv, will continue to do so. But at the same time, they will contribute their funds to a specific fund. It seems to me that it will not be used to pay salaries and bonuses, but in order to help the team stay afloat and not go bankrupt in case of a difficult situation. If so, then it’s right, ”the functionary explained.
Nepomnyaschi suggested that each club will receive a certain amount of money, but will not stop making money from selling players, selling merchandise and other financial transactions. In this regard, marketing and financial services should come first.
“Anyway, someone will use this money better, someone worse. Imbalance is present initially. But in the case of the fund, finances will be spent more rationally: something will go to buy good Russian football players, something to educate their own youth, ”said the coach.
In the future, the availability of the fund may lead to a salary ceiling. However, Nepomniachtchi noted the positive side of this trend.
“I myself am to some extent for such a restriction, because it is unfair when everyone is participating in the same war, but some have slingshots and others have a Kalashnikov assault rifle. Therefore, salaries would not hurt to trim. I don’t think that this will lead to an outflow of players, ”the expert added.
Former head coach of Dynamo Moscow Dmitry Khokhlov also suggested the consequences of the creation of the fund.
“You always need to progress and change something for the better. But everything must be weighed and thought out. In general, I think that this will benefit. If the creation of the fund leads to equalization of salaries, naturally, top-level legionnaires will stop coming to us. On the one hand, this is bad, but on the other, we will have to educate our youth, ”said the mentor.
However, there is an opposite point of view. So, the former president of the Moscow Spartak Andrei Chervichenko doubted the possibility of a fair distribution of funds between clubs.
“In my opinion, this is utopia. How can I take and share everything? Some clubs finance companies, some private individuals. Why does the same Sergey Galitsky have to share with someone what he gives to Krasnodar? If we talk about state corporations, then yes, perhaps such a fund has the right to exist, and then in the case of one-time assistance, and not full sponsorship. The one who cannot find the money should not exist, ”Chervichenko said.