On Wednesday, TASS press center held a press conference dedicated to the disclosure of the VTB United League Russian clubs budget reveal in 2024/25 season. Honorary President Sergey Ivanov, President Sergey Kushchenko, and General Director Ilona Korstin took part in the event.
CSKA ranks first in terms of budget size with 2 billion 320 million rubles. Zenit (1 billion 910 million rubles) and Lokomotiv Kuban (1 billion 810 million rubles) are also in the top three. Next is UNICS (1.37 billion rubles), Uralmash (611 million rubles), Pari Nizhny Novgorod (538 million rubles), BETCITY PARMA (537 million rubles), MBA-MAI (361 million rubles), Enisey (294 million rubles), and Avtodor (271 million rubles).
Other issues related to the activities of the League and its partners were also discussed during the press conference. It was noted that the average revenue of clubs from ticket sales increased last season.
Sergey Ivanov, VTB United League Honorary President:
– This is the 10th year we have been disclosing budgets, and it has become a routine event. There are no surprises; 4 clubs remain the richest. I don’t want to make any predictions, but I think I’m right in saying that two of these four teams will play in the Finals.
The budget of the United League itself has grown significantly. I would also like to note the strong growth in revenue at Uralmash, with a club budget of 611 million rubles. This is good: we need competition. Everyone understands that four clubs are leading in funding. Although money isn’t everything, but money is still an important factor, and the budget is an important factor. This allows them to sign good quality players. And sooner or later, this brings results, with a good coach, of course. The other clubs have seen a slight decline.
Sergey Kushchenko, VTB United League President:
– Communication between the League’s marketing and finance departments and the clubs has strengthened significantly over the past season. One of the decent figures for the 2024/25 season is a 45% increase in ticket revenue. The commercial income of some clubs also grew by 38%.
Clubs’ advertising and PR expenses increased.
The total amount of taxes for all clubs and the League for the 2024/25 season were 2 billion 678 million rubles, which is 5% higher – meaning we are very good contributors to the treasury.
Ilona Korstin, VTB United League General Director:
– Let me tell you more about the VTB United League’s budget. Our revenues grew by 22%, mainly due to targeted mandatory contributions from bookmakers last year and the repayment of debt by the Serbian broadcaster Arena for televising our games. I would like to note that this figure will change in the next financial year, as the targeted contributions have already been discontinued and no further income from them is expected.
Revenue from sponsorship contracts remained virtually unchanged from the previous season. At the same time, record ticket sales were recorded – almost 28 million rubles, generated by just 3 major League events: VTB Youth League Final Four, the All-Star Game, and the SuperCup.
