SUMMARY
- Lot of soccer clubs are owned by a person or business, who appoints someone to run the club.
- Real Madrid has a different approach, Real Madrid is owned by the members of the club called Socios.
The Spanish giants Real Madrid are undoubtedly one of the biggest clubs in the soccer world. The position of club’s President is currently donned by Florentino Perez. The 76-year-old looks over the major financial decisions regarding the club including the transfer of players and other off-the-field operations.
The majority of the clubs in the soccer hierarchy are owned by a particular Owner or a highly reputed business firm. The owners then appoint heads under several departments who oversee their operations in the allotted particular areas. However, the La Liga club Real Madrid are slightly different in their ownership structure.
Real Madrid’s ownership structure
As per the reports, Real Madrid is owned by the members of the club, called the Socios. The Socios are also termed responsible for electing the President of the club. They also have a say or the right to voice opinions in different areas of the decisions made by the club.
It is reported that the Los Blancos are not the only club in La Liga that is majorly owned by supporters. Their rivals FC Barcelona, and La Liga clubs like Osasuna, and Athletic Bilbao are also fans-owned clubs. While this ownership style enables fans to be more connected, an epiphany in the clash of opinions does harm the club’s decisions sometimes.
Who are the Socios?
The Socios does not pertain to any individual owners or people from a reputed firm owning a club. They are the members of the club who have acquired a major part in the club’s ownership by going through several procedures required to be called so.
did you know real madrid is funded by the socios and that florentino is just another president that was elected? https://t.co/ySIIzy9aK3
— paula (@VMINS55) February 16, 2024
The Socios stay in firm control of the operations in Real Madrid’s hierarchy. Socios holds a stake in the club. This is also the main reason why the Los Blancos cannot be sold blatantly. As no one single-handedly owns it. While the club’s President Florentino Perez is responsible for the major operations, his actions demonstrate what the Socios desire.
How to become Real Madrid Socio?
According to reports, the Los Blancos’ Socios are not elected through a system of votes or any other formal hearings. The members of the club pay an adequate amount of money to become one of the Socios. The sum of the fee paid by them is termed to be a recurring annual payment.
The Socios pay a monetary sum of about €150 ($162.55) each year to hold their membership. This figure may seem a slightly sluggish one to be associated with a club like Real Madrid. However, one must take note that there are a lot of Socios associated with the La Liga club. So, when multiplied, the annual membership fee does become a significant sum of money.