Royal Decree paying tangible dividends for LaLiga clubs

'Tis the season for change. A number of LaLiga clubs are using the summer period to make improvements to their stadiums, in order to ensure that they are in line with LaLiga's new audiovisual regulations and project the best possible image in the 2016/2017 campaign.

This revolution, whose goal is to improve perceptions of the way the competition is broadcast and increase its value by enhancing the viewer experience, has been made possible thanks to the new model for the distribution of revenues from television rights. This model was instituted by Royal Decree-Law 5/2015, which covers the marketing of LaLiga's audiovisual rights and has boosted the income of the competition's clubs and public limited sports companies (SADs).

Clubs like Real Betis, Villarreal CF, SD Eibar, RC Celta, CD Leganes and CD Numancia, among others, have capitalised on the financial benefits of the new contract to extensively upgrade their facilities in tune with the new broadcasting needs. This takes in everything from redeveloping stands to ensuring that their respective pitches are in tip-top condition and that they have an optimum broadcasting set-up in place, including production and distribution technology, cameras (in several cases new ones have been installed) and the positioning of camera operators and commentators.

Empiezan las obras en Mendizorroza para tener un césped de Primera #HauDaMendi
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— Deportivo Alavés (@Alaves) July 6, 2016

Television production is the foundation on which all elements of audience perceptions are built, therefore it is crucial to provide the best possible conditions for a top-quality product to be made. In Betis's case, the club will rebuild the Gol Sur stand, the oldest part of the Benito Villamarin, with the aim of modernising their home and making it one of the most innovative stadiums in LaLiga. Villarreal's stadium is also undergoing changes. Over the course of this summer, the southern exterior of El Madrigal as well as part of the interior will be refurbished so that the ground complies with the new rules. Celta's home, Balaidos, will see the completion of the installation of a new roof over the north stand, while Ipurua, Eibar's home ground, will have its capacity increased to 7,100.

In Soria, Numancia will roll out new seating in their Los Pajaritos ground as well as relaying the pitch. This follows the improvements made to the stadium back in March, when heating was installed in all of the stands. In addition, the newly promoted clubs in LaLiga and LaLiga2 have started to modify their grounds so they comply with the new requirements of both divisions.

All of the above is an indication of the major changes that LaLiga will be experiencing in the forthcoming season. These improvements aim to sustain the competition's growth, offer an innovative product and maintain the league's position as the best in the world.