Bundesliga balance sheets: Salzburg dominates, Austria with deep debts!

Bundesliga balance sheets: Salzburg dominates, Austria with deep debts!

The financial condition of the Austrian Bundesliga clubs is reflected in the current annual balance sheets, which are characterized by sometimes significant differences in sales and damage balance. Loud Laola1 FC Red Bull Salzburg had a turnover of 156.74 million euros, making the club the club with the highest turnover in Austria. Nevertheless, the club has to look carefully at the falling income compared to the record year 2022/23, when 186.82 million euros were generated.

Sturm Graz, on the other hand, achieved record revenue of 95.245 million euros. President Christian Jauk said that the economic situation was affected by a lack of stadium and hospitality revenue compared to the large Viennese clubs. Following Salzburg and Sturm are Rapid Vienna (61.41 million euros), LASK (49.35 million euros) and Austria Vienna (32.29 million euros).

Negative balance and new hope at Vienna Austria

Vienna Austria is not in a good position with negative equity of -17.131 million euros and liabilities of 59.44 million euros. Loud OE24 However, the club was able to generate a plus of 11.24 million euros in the 2023/24 financial year. Board member Harald Zagiczek expressed optimism that the debt capital could be reduced through a planned sale of the stadium to the city of Vienna. Zagiczek promised to comply with the new A license criteria to reduce negative equity by ten percent annually.

The economic disparities in the league are striking. While the expenditure on agents and players' agents also varies significantly - the WAC paid 1.43 million euros, while Salzburg only raised 255,000 euros - the personnel costs have reached the budget limits of many clubs. Salzburg's investments in the squad during the current financial year significantly exceeded the income from transfers.

Overall balance and outlook for the future

Red Bull Salzburg remained the league's financial leader with an annual profit of 2.8 million euros. Managing director Stephan Reiter emphasized the need to remain economically healthy, especially given the challenges in the Europa League. Even though Salzburg has already suffered four defeats in five Europa League games this season, the club is relying on its strong equity ratio of 71 percent.

Looking at the entire league, it becomes clear that some clubs, such as Hartberg, WSG Tirol and GAK, are confronted with negative annual results. This represents a challenge for the league and will greatly influence clubs' strategies in the future.

Overall, it shows that despite the financial difficulties of some clubs such as Wiener Austria, there are positive developments and optimism for the future.