USA To Spend $2m For 2014 World Cup, Ghana Budgets $20m.

 

Ghana's group opponent in this years' World Cup, the United States have submitted a proposed budget of $2 million for the tournament in Brazil whiles the Ghana FA have requested to spend some $20 million on the Mundial, Ghanasportsonline.com has gathered.

The United States Soccer Federation have submitted a truncated budget documents for the next fiscal year (April 1, 2014 through March 31, 2015), and has factored into it the amount the MNT will spend in Brazil during the World Cup.

The Board of Directors approved the budget and the membership expected to ratify it.

Here are some of the highlights of the USSF budget

"“We are presenting a budgeted operating surplus, highlighted by continued investment in the technical development of the sport as well as our brand and fan base. … As we will soon be entering the next phase of commercial support and sponsorship contracts in 2015, we have already begun strategically planning for the next tier of expansion and technical development which the organization can provide to the sport throughout its landscape.”

Overall, the USSF foresees almost $20 million in sponsorship revenue in fiscal year ’15, plus an additional $4.3 million earmarked by Nike for player development.

*The federation plans to spend $5.9 million on the U-14 through U-23 men’s and women’s teams — a 2.7 percent decrease from FY ’14. The amount fluctuates because of individual team schedules (World Cup qualifying and other international events). Overall, the USSF plans to pour $13.8 million into player development and $3 million into the Development Academy.

*Administrative expenses will increase by $1.3 million, “mainly driven by spending in the Technology area for web site development and re-design and a new cross-functional database implementation. We have also created a new Development department focused on building donor relationships and unique VIP events.”

*The USSF earmarks about $1 million for the U.S. Open Cup and realizes an annual surplus (projected at $261,000 last year, $47,000 this year).

*The USSF’s World Cup budget for Brazil is listed at $2 million, but that might increase.

*What is the economic impact of playing in the futebol festival?“The financial impact of the World Cup tournament, both revenue and expenses, is not included in the standard operating Budget and will be reviewed and treated as a stand-alone event, similar to prior years.”

Meanwhile, the Ghana Football Association and the country's ministry for Youth and Sports are believd to have submitted a proposed $20 million World Cup budget waiting for approval.

The Sports Ministry and the Ghana FA made an initial defence of an over US$20m budget for Ghana’s particpation at the 2014 World Cup to President John Mahama.

According to a Citi FM report, the team led by Sports Minister Elvis Afriyie Ankrah and Ghana FA boss Kwesi Nyantakyi engaged the President for hours discussing the Black Stars’ preparations for the tournament to be staged in Brazil and its related costs.

Sports Minister Afriyie Ankrah on the other hand focused on the general organisation of supporters and officials to Brazil and intended plans to hold a Ghana village to hold exhibitions and other events to market the country.

The duo’s presentation incorporated the tangible and intangible benefits to be drawn by Ghana from the huge investment towards the World Cup.

Kwesi Nyantakyi’s presentation focused on the Black Stars team and its preparations for the tournament.

The Sports Ministry will be sending another delegation to Brazil to affirm the initial studies done.

The Ghana government approved a US$19m budget for the last World Cup in South Africa.

The budget for this year’s World Cup will certainly experience a significant rise due to anticipated rising team and organisational cost for the Brazil tournament.