€110m jackpot on the cards

MANCHESTER UNITED or Barcelona would cash in on a €110m windfall by becoming European champions in Rome tonight, according to football finance experts.

That sum is the value of the Champions League trophy to the winning club in terms of prize money plus increased squad value and sponsorship deals. Even the losing side will make at least €65m according to Professor Simon Chadwick, who has carried out a report for Champions League sponsors MasterCard.

Chadwick’s report also reports that Rome will benefit to the tune of €45m from hosting the final, and the city of the winning team upwards of €15m.

He said: “What promises to be an epic contest between two of the world’s greatest teams is also a major spur for the economy. The UEFA Champions League final proves that sport’s mega-events can overcome the downturn, thanks to their huge emotional appeal.”

Chadwick, head of the Centre for the International Business of Sport at Coventry University, said the match would be worth €310m in total to the European economy. Previous research has indicated that the recession contributed to more interest in the NFL Superbowl, which saw increases in both number of viewers and advertising, and Chadwick expects the same thing to happen with the Champions League final as people try to escape the pessimism of the economic situation. Chadwick believes this will lead to a ‘recession premium’ worth around €28m to the overall total from more people becoming engaged in the final as a result of the economic downturn.

Meanwhile, UEFA president Michel Platini has reassured fans that security arrangements are under control, paving the way for a “beautiful game”.

More than 67,000 fans are expected today in the Italian capital, while 5000 police officers will be on hand to make sure things run smoothly in the Eternal City.

Platini, speaking at Rome’s Tor Vergata University where he was honoured with the Ethic award for sport, said: “All is under control, we don’t have any security concerns.” Assessing the match Platini said: “It’s useless to make any predictions. Football is unpredictable and then Barcelona and Manchester United are two very strong teams.

“Without a doubt it’s going to be a beautiful game.”