What crisis ?
 

http://www.thelocal.es/20130716/top-...est-paid-in-eu

Certainly not for these guys, the best paid in the Eu.

Can't see their customers being greatly impressed though, considering the hell many of them are being put through in order to keep the guys at the top in the style to which they are accustomed.

Re: What crisis ?
 

I think the key numbers are that there are between 100-200 millionnaire bankers in France, Germany and Spain, but in the UK there are 2,400! Ten times as many!

I'm not sure what I feel about this. In one way it is a disgrace, but on the other hand, there are probably 500 footballers making millionnaire salaries in England (and at least 100 in each of France, Germany and Spain)

If you want to earn massive salaries then the UK is definitely the place to be. There has been a huge exodus of Spanish footballers to England this year. And many others have gone to Germany and Italy

Re: What crisis ?
 

Not really a valid comparison with London being such a major financial business centre which would surely account for the much higher numbers.

As for the rest I mostly agree, though if other major leagues such as the Prem can pull in huge sums of money from various rights to help pay the ridiculous wages, how come La Liga can't do the same ?

Re: What crisis ?
 

Seems only yesterday you believed it was just as difficult to make any money in the UK as in Spain. But that was yesterday and a different debate.

Re: What crisis ?
 

No wonder the EU are keen on the Tobin tax on UK banking activities!!

Re: What crisis ?
 

They can and do, but most of it goes to Barca and Madrid

The difference is that the big English teams are owned by Russia, American and Middle Eastern Billionnaires who finance the buying

Only Barca and Madrid can even afford to buy players. It is amazing that the other teams are as good as they are when many of the budgets are at championship or division 1 level

Re: What crisis ?
 

The difference is that with footballers there's a link between their rewards and the entertainment service they provide (i.e. what people are prepared to pay to watch them). It's also a profession that is open to most people - you've just got to be good enough. So in that sense it is very meritocratic.

Re: What crisis ?
 

If only bankers attained comparable level of skills and dedication, maybe there'd be a certain amount of justification regarding their excessive salaries.

I was going to mention politicians also but they have other means of getting their perks :sneaky: in order satisfy their greed and basically the only qualification they require is the ability to tell a never ending stream of porkies.

Re: What crisis ?
 

You're a football fan right?

Re: What crisis ?
 

Although I spend most winter weekends playing second row for a rugby team, I also support a Championship football team. I don't follow much of the La Liga or Premiership football, and I don't pay to watch football on TV. So, unlike the situation with the banks, it's not my money that contributes towards football players' exhorbitant wages. That's my point really - many people pay a lot of money to watch football and the money they pay goes to the people they watch. The footballers. And they accept that (otherwise they wouldn't pay). It's pretty fair in that respect. The only exception I can think of is the BBC's MOTD where all license payers' money is used to pay for football rights, regardles of whether some viewers actually want to watch it.

Re: What crisis ?
 

A yes or no would have sufficed.....

Re: What crisis ?
 

I cancelled my Sky sports sub two years ago as I agree re the exorbitant wage bills and considered it overpriced anyway for how much I watch.

I've got by with a few streaming sites since then, but now they seem to be getting shut down in no time at all.

Anyway, being a BT customer I just came across their offer today.
38 Top Prem matches, FA Cup, Europa matches, various European league matches also, plus 69 rugby matches, should suit you guys, all completely FREE to BT customers who also possess a Sky card, if ordered before 1st Aug.:)

Re: What crisis ?
 

And what is the answer? Yes or no ?

Re: What crisis ?
 

Pretty much past caring to be honest.

Re: What crisis ?
 

A yes or no would have sufficed.....