Super League season in doubt
Soccer Daily has revealed that the Chinese Super League (CSL) is facing many challenges and operational difficulties in the new season. According to the report, the investment issue has become a major obstacle, with many companies skeptical about the commercial potential and financing ability of the Chinese Super League, and unwilling to invest on a large scale. Expectations for brand promotion have also waned.
It is reported that the main sponsorship contract of Ping An Group of China is about to expire and the application for renewal has not yet appeared. The management has made several invitations, but the other party has never given a clear answer, reflecting the intensifying difficulty of the title. The attitude of smaller sponsors is equally unpromising. Meanwhile, the teams' dividends have been drastically reduced, and according to Football Daily, they may be more than 80% less than a few years ago.
Revenue plummets as clubs run into trouble
The significant drop in dividends has had a serious impact on the club's operations. In the past, top clubs could earn up to $40 million a season, while this season it is expected to drop to $8 million, a staggering drop. This roller coaster of revenue changes poses a huge challenge to the long-term development of clubs.
At present, clubs are generally facing difficulties, with big clubs barely managing to stay afloat while small and medium-sized clubs are struggling to stay afloat. At the end of the season, there was news that some of the clubs might be disbanded or even have insufficient number of teams. The names of Dalian and Chengdu have been mentioned. Although the situation has not been officially confirmed, the plight of the clubs is evident.
National football performance affects the reputation of the Chinese Super League
China's national soccer team's World Cup qualifying results are crucial to the reputation of the Chinese Super League, not only for its own fate but also for qualification for the 2026 World Cup. If the national soccer team achieves good results against Thailand and South Korea, the reputation of the Chinese Super League is expected to improve. On the contrary, if they perform poorly, confidence will be hit, which is extremely unfavorable for the whole off-season schedule.
Therefore, international players are expected to show their strength and fight for the team in the game. This is not only for the honor of the country, but also for the expectations of the domestic fans and to protect the players' own interests.
