By Samindra Kunti
April 29 – Latest financial reports show how the metamorphosis of Paris Saint-Germain’s into the powerhouse of French football has continued off the pitch. In 2015 PSG had a revenue of €484 million, more than the combined total of 14 other clubs in France’s Ligue1.
In 2011 Qatar Sport Investments became a majority shareholder in the Paris-based club. With the ownership position came a huge war chest of cash to build the club into becoming one of Europe’s elite clubs with the ambition of winning the Champions League.
The Qatari cash has been used to build a dominant business. The €484 million revenue in 2015, according to data released earlier this week by French football’s licensing authority, makes up the bulk of a total revenue for Ligue 1 of €1.4 billion.
The financial gulf between PSG and its French club rivals is further put into perspective when looking at the other clubs individually. AS Monaco, the French league’s second-biggest cash generator, earned just €117.4 million. While the Parisian club’s payroll amounted to €254.9 million, 2.5 times more than Olympique Marseille, the next-highest payer.
PSG have built a domestic dominance that has landed them four consecutive French league titles. Coach Laurent Blanc has built a solid team around a nucleus of players – Thiago Silva in defense, Marco Verratti in midfield and Zlatan Ibrahimovic up front.
But so far the European Champions League title has been elusive. PSG fell for a fourth time at the quarter-finals stage this season. Kevin De Bruyne and Manchester City proved too strong over two legs, winning 3-2 on aggregate.
The French champions will wrap up their season with the French Cup final against arch rivals Marseille on May 21.
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