MODEL OF CLUB

One of the last (or perhaps not), debates about Barça is on the "Model Club", understanding this as the way to manage it beyond what its sports policy. Personally, I understand that:

1) You can not compare the model Club in USA (MLS, NBA, etc.), with European models (Manchester City, PSG, Milan, Zenit, etc.), and these with Barça.

2) The first are models that use sport as a tool for business. Leagues are closed, which can be reached only by economic merits.

3) There are not lower levels with promotion and relegations. A case such as here Llagostera (From 2nd Regional Category (8th tier), to play for promotion to 2nd Division in 10 years is impossible).

4) League gives franchises. If there is no business, the team is sold and/or goes to a different city. That is to say, it is not the Clubs that are organized to create a competition, but it is the competition that creates clubs.

5) For the same reason, grassroots has a very different structure. Basketball or Ice Hockey teams have no grassroots (Academies). Football has, but with a very different concept.

6) In Europe, most clubs are owned by an entrepreneur or business group (similar to USA). But here, the Leagues are open and you go up and down of category based on sporting merit. Very important: If you are in these TOP categories (in Europe), it's because you win, not for the money you may have.

7) These owners provide sponsor for the clubs and so often, they have a say in all decisions.

8) All these clubs have fans and season ticket holders, but generally have no power of decision over the operation of the Club.

9) And here is where Barça is different. Barça has 150,000 owners. Its "socis" (members). The President and the Board are elected by them. Anyone does not name them.

10) According to Regulations (several), Barça is a "non-profit" company, ie, that its benefits do not return directly to the owners. This means that profits should be reinvested in the Club. Second big difference.

11) Therefore, the only "benefit" of the owners of the club is to win the League and the Champions League. Nothing more.

12) Any management model that can be made at Barça should aim to win trophies, not money.

13) Obviously, they must apply the management techniques, marketing, productivity, etc. that can be applied to any "normal" company, but without forgetting what the main objective is.

14) It is not important that the club wage bill represents 70% of the budget, provided that the methodology used is the inverse of the current.

15) This means that instead of Budget = Necessary Wages + Expenses, it has to be Budget = Necessary Expenses + Wages.

16) This leads, as it has been sometimes said, to seek new forms of income that do not involve the entry of "owners in the shade" or to lose control of the club by the partners and that will maintain the necessary payroll.

17) IT is not "More income = more profits"; is "More income = more reinvestment".

18) And it means that "La Masia" should be more productive than ever. Players who do not reach the 1st team have to be sold at a good price and not as at present.

19) And not to say that "La Masia" should be a moneymaker. The first and main objective is to produce players for the 1st team. This and no other.

20) We must not forget the social meaning of Barça. By the fact that there is no economic benefit, we can not eliminate sections with many years of history.

21) A Club with 500M€ budget can not fire out an amateur section that may have a cost of 250K€/year.

Always remember: Who loses the origins, loses identity, and we can't allow it. We can not forget who we are nor where we come from.

Jordi Pascual

You can follow me on Twitter: @ JordiPascualP