During the recent general assembly of Real Madrid‘s socios, president Florentino Pérez tackled a range of pressing topics, from the financing of the Santiago Bernabéu renovation to the club’s digital initiatives and its relationship with La Liga.
Pérez opened the meeting by providing insights into the extensive renovation of the iconic Santiago Bernabéu stadium. He defended the project’s financial viability, explaining that the €1.347 billion investment is being managed through three fixed-rate loans. This financial structure allows the club to generate annual revenues of €150 million while maintaining a manageable repayment schedule of €60 million per year, as reported by Marca. Pérez emphasized that this approach ensures the club remains profitable despite the scale of investment required for such an ambitious project.
Innovative Digital Projects
One of the standout initiatives presented was “Bernabéu Infini,” a project aimed at enhancing fan engagement through virtual match experiences. Collaborating with technology giants like Apple, Real Madrid plans to offer fans immersive viewing options from home using special glasses and digital subscriptions. This initiative is designed to reach an estimated 700 million fans worldwide, allowing them to experience matches as if they were in the stadium.
Legal Matters and Club Governance
On a different note, Pérez addressed ongoing legal issues surrounding the closure of the Sky Bar at the Bernabéu, stating that he would refrain from commenting further as the matter is currently in court. In addition, he clarified his relationship with La Liga president Javier Tebas, stating that while there are disagreements on certain decisions, there is no intention to label Tebas as persona non grata.
The president also discussed subscription resale issues, revealing that last season saw 674 reported cases, which has slightly decreased to 533 this year. The club is working alongside law enforcement to tackle this problem, imposing sanctions that could result in membership revocation for those found guilty of violations. Pérez urged socios to take responsibility for managing their subscriptions effectively.
As for his own future at Real Madrid, Pérez dismissed rumors regarding his departure, assuring attendees that the board remains united in its governance. He confirmed that the stadium will retain its name, Santiago Bernabéu, affirming the importance of maintaining the brand identity while also celebrating successes in basketball and growing interest in match subscriptions.
The assembly highlighted Pérez’s commitment to balancing tradition with innovation as Real Madrid navigates its future in an evolving sports landscape.
Comments
0 comments
Sign in to comment