Stadium issue puts the brakes on

Sturm Graz’ finances continue on record course

Financially, Sturm Graz is doing very well.(Bild: GEPA pictures)

A look at the finances should put a smile on Thomas Tebbich's face again this year. After setting a record in the 2022/23 financial year with a turnover of EUR 44.7 million, the balance sheet for the current financial year should also look more than good. "We're at a similar level," said Sturm's Managing Director for Economic Affairs during the Conference League match in Lille. There is potential for more. One obstacle continues to be the smouldering stadium issue.

The European Cup alone has developed into good business for Sturm. According to the UEFA Financial Report, the team from Graz earned a total of EUR 9.154 million in 2022/23. This season, the runners-up have already earned over EUR 6.3 million in bonuses, plus the market pool, which will only be settled at the end of the season and could amount to around EUR 3 million. It is one of the "core elements" that Tebbich sees for Sturm's profitability.

This also includes the club's above-average transfer income over the past two years. Rasmus Höjlund and Emanuel Emegha last July each brought in over ten million euros. Money that the club is reinvesting. In addition to the sporting side - spending on the squad has increased noticeably in recent seasons - the club has also launched an infrastructure offensive as part of its "Agenda 2028".

Training center in Puntigam
A training center is being built on a former golf course in the Puntigam district at a cost of EUR 12.5 million. The city of Graz and the state are contributing EUR 7.9 million. The rest will be provided by the club and an as yet unspecified partner. The facility will be used solely by the women's team and the youth department, while Messendorf will increasingly provide space for the men's professionals in the future. It will take some time until then: According to the club's plans, work on the Puntigam facility should begin in winter at the latest.

The Liebenau issue continues to be far more complicated for Sturm's managers. It is obvious that the home arena has not kept pace with the club's growth. Before the draw for the Conference League round of 16, there was uncertainty as to whether Sturm would be allowed to play at home. If Eintracht Frankfurt had been drawn as the opponent, Graz would not have been an option as a venue due to infrastructural deficiencies.

Sturm wants more rights in the stadium
For the time being, there are no signs of a solution in the interplay with the city of Graz. As Tebbich noted, a list of questions regarding the cost structure of the arena had already been submitted to the city government in the fall. As is known, Sturm wants to acquire the building rights in the Merkur Arena, and the VIP area and canteen are also to be managed by the club itself in future. In order to acquire the rights for this, the club would have to spend a sum in the double-digit millions.

A security package for the arena was also drawn up together with GAK, which is about to be promoted to the Bundesliga. In addition to the future division of the fan sectors, this also includes modifications in line with UEFA guidelines. "Both Sturm and GAK must meet the requirements of the respective competitions - in the Bundesliga or in the European club competitions," said Tebbich. "However, feedback from the city is still pending."

The extent to which GAK will cut into the financial cake in Graz in future is not a major issue for Sturm. "That could be on a small scale. But if you look at advertising analyses or reach, then we're talking about two different companies," says Tebbich. Sturm offers a much larger platform in this respect. The figures prove Tebbich right. With an average of over 14,700 spectators in Liebenau, Sturm is also heading for a record in Bundesliga history.