Forbes focuses on the metamorphosis of the Monumental: how it became “the largest in South America”

With a capacity of 83,196 people – it is promised to soon change the figure to 84,567 – River Plate’s Most Monumental Stadium has been classified as “the largest South America”. In this way, it relegated the Monumental de Ate, in Peru, which has a capacity of 80,093 spectators, to second place.

The prestigious business magazine Forbes has published an article written by journalist Joseph O’Sullivan, which tells a list of reasons that explain how the Monumental has become the largest stadium in South America.

First of all, the specialist recalled the expansion carried out by Núñez’s team for the ’78 World Cup which took place in the country: “After the renovation for the 1978 World Cup, the stadium hosted between 74,000 and 76,000 fans. During the opening match and the final against the Netherlands, which ended with a 3-1 victory for the Albiceleste”.

The reporter then made reference the sources of income that the various football clubs in the world have today: “Stadia are a huge source of income for football clubs who can actually earn money in several ways. The football industry may be profitable, but maintaining revenues above costs is not easy for any club. “Player sales, sponsorships, television contracts and merchandise sales are other important sources of income.”

Along the same lines, he compared the reality of the two most powerful teams in the country with those in Europe: “TV contracts and sponsorship deals in Argentina pale in comparison to those in Europe. “Even for teams like River Plate and Boca Juniors there simply isn’t the audience that teams like the Premier League or Champions League will attract on a global scale, so revenue is very limited.”

Returning to River, Joseph O’Sullivan clarified where the profits the institution has reaped in recent times come from: “Stadium profits and player sales are two vital sources of income for River. From the sale of Julián Álvarez for 23 million of dollars to Manchester City to players like Lucas Beltrán and his recent $13 million transfer to Fiorentina.”

Finally, the journalist revealed the millionaire revenues that River will retain thanks to the agreement with Mâs (prefix that the stadium bears in its name due to the agreement with its new sponsor, the Changomas supermarket chain): “Mâs is a new addition to the stadium’s name as part of a naming rights deal in which the club will pay $20 million over a seven-year contract.