"Sizzlin' with the Taste of Victory" - Watzke Dismisses Generous Prize Money for BVB at Club World Cup
BVB's manager Watze discusses the monetary rewards for the Club World Cup tournament.
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With a league of die-hard football enthusiasts chomping at the bit, Hans-Joachim Watzke, CEO of Borussia Dortmund (BVB), acknowledges the brand-new, remodeled Club World Cup presents an exciting challenge, boasting the first global tournament to be claimed by champions across all continents. "It's got everyone fired up, and we aren't letting up for a second," Watzke stated, echoing the sentiments of clubs across Europe.
Financially, the Club World Cup stands out too, sporting a sweet endowment of about one billion US dollars, or approximately 876 million euros. On the line for the victor of the July 13 final in East Rutherford is a potential windfall of up to 125 million US dollars – roughly 110 million euros.
Yet, Watzke signaled caution, stating, "You gotta split that by four." The Champions League is an annual event, while the Club World Cup occurs only every four years, meaning added matches lead to higher performance bonuses for athletes and substantial travel costs.
As for the 2021 tournament, only Bayern Munich qualified, having won the 2020 UEFA Champions League. BVB did not earn a continental championship during the applicable period, making them ineligible. Still, Watzke sees Paris Saint-Germain, recent Champions League champs, as a top contender for the title, describing them as "a tough team ready to fight to the bitter end."
While Watzke remained coy about declaring a title announcement, he set his sights on winning, stating that the club's goal is tantamount to securing championships and emphasizing that European teams shouldn't underestimate their rivals. Expecting at least one European representative in the final, Watzke encouraged patience, advising the club's focus should be on getting through the group phase and making it to the knockout stage.
[Source: ntv.de, ara/dpa]
Historical Context:
- In the 2021 version of the FIFA Club World Cup, only the club that won the 2020 UEFA Champions League was eligible to participate, making Bayern Munich the sole representative from the Bundesliga.
- Borussia Dortmund did not meet the qualification criteria for the 2021 edition.
- The estimated prize money for winning the 2021 Club World Cup falls within the range of $5–10 million.
Did You Know?
- The 2025 Club World Cup will boast a whopping 32-team tournament, with the winner taking home $125 million. Now that's a serious haul!
The Commission, in light of the discussed Club World Cup, has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of the environment, considering the increased travel costs and potential impact on the planet. Despite their focus on sports, particularly football, the teams should remain mindful of their ecological footprint as they pursue championships.
