Bargain! Kaka could net Madrid $100m per season

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Kaka's transfer to Real Madrid may have carried the second highest pricetag in football history – but it could be worth up to $100 million a season in revenue.   Business experts Weber Shandwick Sport predict that the Brazilian playmaker's arrival will drive a sharp increase in shirt sales, sponsorship revenue, ticket sales and global fan base. Kaka will also increase Real Madrid's opportunities for tour games to lucrative markets such as the United States and Southeastern Asia. If Kaka is joined at the Bernabeu by World Player of The Year Cristiano Ronaldo, Professor Simon Chadwick suggests that an extra $75 million a year could be raised. Florentino Perez will be hoping that Kaka and Ronaldo will have a similar effect to that of David Beckham. Between 2003 and 2007 it is speculated that Real Madrid earned $600 million from Beckham's stay at the Bernabeu in shirt sales and merchandise alone. During this period the Spanish giants increased their merchandising profits by 137%. Simon Chadwick commented; "Kaka and Ronaldo can be viewed in the same bracket as Beckham when it comes to global commercial impact, if their image is controlled right and Real Madrid improve their results in the UEFA Champions League as a result of their arrival."

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Gary Parkinson

Gary Parkinson is a freelance writer, editor, trainer, muso, singer, actor and coach. He spent 14 years at FourFourTwo as the Global Digital Editor and continues to regularly contribute to the magazine and website, including major features on Euro 96, Subbuteo, Robert Maxwell and the inside story of Liverpool's 1990 title win. He is also a Bolton Wanderers fan.