| NEW
DELHI: While the economic reality still seems to remain bleak, the 2009 Champions
League final between Manchester United and FC Barcelona is expected to spawn an
estimated €310 million ($433.1 million), up from the €267 million ($372.18
million) that it generated last year. According
to league sponsor MasterCard's 'Heart of Sports Commerce report', developed by
Professor Simon Chadwick, both the teams stand to yield profits from positive
economic impacts such as increased squad value, prize money, sponsorship deals,
television rights and growth in season ticket sales.
Chadwick
predicts that while the winning team this year will receive a windfall of more
than €110 million ($153.33 million), the losing side will make not less than
€65 million ($90.60 million). Host
city Rome will also reap benefits of approximately €40 million ($55.75 million)
from the final while the city of the winning team will earn upwards of €13
million ($18.12 million). Said
Professor Chadwick, "What promises to be an epic contest between two of the
world's greatest teams is also a major spur for the economy. The UEFA Champions
League final proves that sport's mega-events can overcome the downturn, thanks
to their huge emotional appeal."
"We can expect modest increases
in 'established' forms of economic and commercial activity around the 2009 final,
which could have been more significant had the economic climate been different,
but what comes into play is a 'recession premium' worth around €25 million
($35.85 million) to the overall total from more people engaging as a result of
the downturn," he added. | 
