Rollers' richest season could yield P10m
Staff Writer | Friday March 30, 2018 13:00
After banking P1.3 million from winning the Mascom Top 8 early this month, Rollers are guaranteed at least $550,000 (approximately P5.2 million) from the CAF Champions League.
They are also in the running for the P1.2 million first prize money in the BTC Premiership, which if successful, will see their earnings rise to P7.7 million.
With expected bumper crowds for the Al Ahly and Esperance matches, coupled with gate takings from Premiership matches, Rollers’ income is expected to rise to P10 million. Merchandise sale is forecast to peak due to the team’s run, particularly in the CAF Champions League.
This would mark, by far, domestic football’s richest season, as local teams have grossed no more than P2.5 million.
Rollers expenditure is not expected to exceed P5 million for the season, which should leave the club with healthy profits.
Last year, the club recorded a P2 million loss, after spending over P6 million against an income of P4 million. While Rollers are raking in the cash, other clubs are stuck in a financial quagmire.
Even giants like Mochudi Centre Chiefs and Gaborone United are feeling the pinch as they fail to regularly shell players’ dues.
The gulf in financial class between Rollers and other clubs will widen significantly at the end of the season, which is already reflecting on the pitch. Orapa United, Jwaneng Galaxy and to a lesser extent, BDF XI and Police XI have remained the other clubs with some semblance of financial normalcy.