The prospect of Romanian football clubs listing on the stock exchange seems a distant dream, with the country’s top teams struggling to attract investors. The current returns offered by football in Romania are too low to entice investors through the capital market, according to Justin Ștefan, Secretary General of the Liga Profesionista de Fotbal.
In an interview, Ștefan highlighted the need for Romanian football clubs to adopt a more business-oriented approach to attract investors, particularly from abroad. He noted that the current state of affairs makes it more attractive for clubs to take out loans rather than seeking investment.
“The returns on investment in Romanian football are too low to be attractive to investors,” Ștefan explained. “If you want to make a profit, you need to have returns of 15-20% per annum. If you can’t achieve that, it’s not worth investing in.”
Capital from Abroad Key to Club Growth
Ștefan emphasized that the solution to the problem lies in attracting capital from abroad, particularly from countries such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar. He noted that this would require clubs to have a strong brand and a large audience.
“To achieve this, we need to create a strong brand and attract a large audience. This would make our clubs more attractive to investors from abroad,” Ștefan explained.
Private Capital: A Viable Alternative to Stock Exchange Listing
However, Ștefan also suggested that private capital could be a viable alternative to stock exchange listing. He noted that this would allow clubs to attract investors who are not necessarily interested in listing on the stock exchange.
“Private capital can be a more accessible option for clubs than listing on the stock exchange,” Ștefan said. “This would allow clubs to attract investors who are interested in supporting the team, rather than just seeking a return on investment.”
The Secretary General also expressed skepticism about the ability of Gică Hagi, the president of the Romanian Football Federation, to bring about significant change to the sport. He noted that the federation’s performance over the past few years has been disappointing.
“If we have three, four, or five mandates and still can’t achieve performance, then the system is not working,” Ștefan said. “If Gică Hagi or anyone else comes into a system that doesn’t work, I don’t think they will have any success.”
The Romanian football scene faces significant challenges in terms of attracting investment and improving performance. However, with the right approach and the right investors, there is potential for growth and improvement.
**The future of Romanian football remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: change is needed.**