THE Premier Soccer League (PSL) clubs are singing the blues – just 56 matches out 240 games played in the 2009 season made a profit. This means 76,6 percent of the league matches were loss making. A total of 459 337 fans paid to watch the matches last season.
The outgoing PSL treasurer Oliver Manyau painted a grim picture of the premiership, when he presented the audited financial report at the league’s Annual General Meeting yesterday.
“Out of the 240 matches played in the 2009 season, only 56 were profit making. This means that 76,6 percent of the matches were loss making,” Manyau said.
“Only 25 percent of the 16 in the Premiership posted surpluses and these are Dynamos, CAPS United, Highlanders and Hwange whilst the other 75 percent posted deficits.
“This position is also reflective of the PSL financial position as at December 31 2009.”
Manyau said low attendances at one time threatened to force clubs to fail to fulfill some matches and they had to be bailed out by the league.
“The year 2009 was characterised by low attendances at stadia and severe cash-flow problems,” he said.
“It was generally a very difficult season in which clubs for the first time, almost failed to fulfill matches especially in the second half of the season.
“Eleven out of the 16 premiership clubs were at one time or the other assisted by the league. Only five teams namely Black Rhinos, Caps United, Highlanders, Hwange and Motor Action did not seek assistance from the PSL.
The lending and borrowings though not provided for in the constitution were done to ensure a smooth finish to the season.”
Manyau suggested that the league must look for alternative sponsorship.
“If the current scenario is anything to go by, whereby promoted clubs are struggling to raise affiliation fees and those already in the league are struggling to raise subscription fees, then clubs must brace for an even tougher season.
“What is very clear is that clubs cannot rely on gate takings hence the challenge to increase our revenue inflows through fundraising activities for individual clubs. Another aspect would be to acquire robust sponsorship deals that would cover most of the clubs’ expenses.”

BY NIGEL MATONGORERE

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