According to three reports, in one year in the First Division, SD Eibar has generated a total economic impact valued at €59m
The reports were presented at a press conference and in addition, the President, Alex Aranzábal, has made public information on purchases and works as well as the contributions to the Vizcaya Regional Treasury
At a press conference the President of SD Eibar, Alex Aranzábal, together with the CEO of Debegesa, Juan Ángel Balbas and the executive director of the company Kantar Media, Miguel Ángel Fontán, have presented the results and conclusions of 3 studies that evaluate the economic and media impact of the entity since it has been in the First Division.
Alex Aranzábal began the appearance by providing the data that support the economic and media impact resulting from Eibar’s promotion to the top flight. For this he detailed the evolution of the Club’s expenditure in purchases and projects since the 2013-2014 season when it played in the Second Division, until the current season, together with an estimation of what staying up would signify. According to this data the €1.7 million in 2013-2014 would increase to €8.1 million for the coming season.
This progression is also notable in the section on taxes, these rising from €1.5 million in 2013-2014 to the €16.8 million envisaged for next season. According to Aranzábal, in this way “Eibar has become an important company that contributes to the regional treasury”.
Another of the values analysed is the creation of direct employment by the Club, which has gone from 40 employees in 2012-2013 to 94 in the current season. For Aranzábal “this is a very interesting fact, the jump came above all upon joining the First Division when we barely had a structure”.
Juan Angel Balbas, CEO of Debegesa was the second to intervene, providing data on a study prepared by this entity, which is a regional development agency. Following an analysis by sectors, Balbas confirmed “an increase in sales in trade, in travel agencies (always for the journeys away from home), in the hospitality sector and in transport, above all in the use of taxis”. According to Balbas, the general perception is that the consumer dedicates a greater percentage of his income on recreation surrounding the games, providing a positive assessment of Eibar being in the First Division.
Finally, Balbás concluded by providing the overall data “The economic impact, leaving to one side the visibility and the tributary part, is assessed to be €3.5 million approximately,coinciding with the impact analysis calculated in 2014”.
Miguel Angel Fontán, Executive director of Kantar Media explained the extent of Brand Eibar through media coverage “In the first quarter of the season the notional value of the advertising space dedicated to SD Eibar has been €11 million with 22 impacts per person, which extrapolating the data supposed a value of €34.2 million. It should be stressed that the media do not only collect data on the First Team, but that one of the interesting things is also the treatment of grassroots football”.
Aranzábal ended his presentation with the section of conclusions “according the report by REPUCOM, 5% of the population of the State choose Eibar as one of their three favourite First Division teams, which equates to 2.3 million fans interested in its colours. Each time we check the broadcasts it is more usual that they are watching us in more countries of the world”.
Finally Aranzábal recalled “Eibar is making a lot of effort, and has become an economic engine for the city and the region. We understand that it would only be fair if they took us into consideration, given that we are carrying out the redevelopment of the stadium on our own without any institutional support”.