The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football, more commonly known as CONCACAF, has announced an increase to the prize money pot for the Champions League 2016/17 season as well as an increase to the general investment expenditure.
Prize Money Changes
The continental CONCAFA Champions League, the North American equivalent of the UEFA Champions League, has traditionally had prize money that seems infinitesimal in comparison to what European teams win. However, they are now playing catch-up with an increase to the overall prize money pot for the 2016/17 Champions League of $1.2 million.
The news, announced on the CONCAFAC website, shows the federation’s dedication to investing in North and Central American soccer. For the upcoming season, the winners will receive half a million dollars, whilst those in second place will receive $300,000, with two semi-finalists each receiving $200,000.
After communication with participating clubs, the federation has also made the decision to increase travel stipends and allowances for clubs, making it easier for some teams to actually take part. This is especially important for clubs from poorer regions or those that have farther to travel in order to take part. With the additional allowances and the prize money increase, the total amount invested in the CONCACAF Champion League for 2016/17 will be $5.5 million.
Europe and Asia
Obviously, these amounts are still dwarfed by the prize money pot for the UEFA Champions League, which sees winners (last year Real Madrid) receiving €15 million, and even by the Asian Football Confederation League, where the winners last season took home $3 million.
The top spots in the CONFCAFA Champions League are dominated by Mexican teams such as America and Monterry, who can now look forward to coming home with a far larger amount of money should their successes continue into the upcoming seasons. Soccer is a bigger sport in Mexico than it in the US, Canada or many Caribbean countries, and soccer drills such as those found at http://www.sportplan.net/ are as much a part of life as they are over the pond in England or France.
As CONCACAF attempts to play catch-up in comparison to its European and Asian counterparts, the participating clubs will no doubt be overjoyed that the incentive to play has just got even bigger.