Introduction to Turkish Super League
The super league of Turkey is developing as a serious player on the transfer market, competing with Saudi Arabia for top football talent. The "Big Three" clubs – Galatasaray, Fenerbahce, and Besiktas – are offering significant sums to attract international stars such as Victor Osimhen, Leroy Sane, and Jhon Duran.
Record-Breaking Signings
Galatasaray, the Super League champion, has agreed to pay Napoli €75 million for the permanent transfer of Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen. This is not only the most expensive signing in Turkish football history but also one of the four most expensive transfers in the current transfer window worldwide. Osimhen will earn an annual salary of €21 million, while the German international recently signed by Bayern Munich will earn €12 million per year. Fenerbahce’s new striker, Jhon Duran, will report almost €20 million annually, and his former teammate Anderson Talisca is expected to earn €15 million euros a year.
Financial Burden
Despite the record-breaking signings, the combined debt of the "Big Three" and Trabzonspor is assumed to have long exceeded their income. The clubs are struggling with high debts and are operating in a country facing economic challenges. Some believe that the government tacitly supports the increased expenses, using top-class registrations to distract from problems such as high inflation and unemployment.
"Bread and Circuses"
The concept of "Bread and Circuses" suggests that the government is using football to distract the masses during an economic crisis, defusing public anger and keeping clubs and their fan communities under control. Sport columnist Onur Ozgen believes that this is a deliberate effort to shift attention away from the country’s economic woes. Football economist Tugrul Aksar agrees, stating that football dominates the agenda of poor communities, and people who cannot afford basic necessities are focused on the sport.
State Support and Debt Restructuring
The "Big Three" clubs have received considerable state support to increase their income, including repeated new share issuances and debt restructuring through credit agreements with public banks. Professor of Sociology Ahmet Talimcler notes that the clubs have close relationships with the state, which enables them to make expensive signings without hesitation. The government’s support has allowed the clubs to continue operating despite their significant debts.
Lack of Enforcement
In 2022, the government passed a law aimed at preventing reckless borrowing by clubs. However, the law has not been enforced, and many believe that it is being used as a tool to control football clubs and fan groups. The law provides for serious sanctions, including prison terms for civil servants who take their clubs into debt, but it has not been applied.
Control and Self-Censorship
The government’s "stick" is believed to be keeping the clubs and their fan groups in line, while also increasing self-censorship among fans. The mandatory electronic ticketing system and stadium cameras are seen as tools for creating "political-free stands." Economists Aksar believes that if the law were applied, many club officials would face legal action, but excessive borrowing is being deliberately permitted.
Unsustainable Spending
Ozgen argues that the "Big Three" clubs are trying to become the "Saudi Arabia of Europe," but this is not sustainable in the long run. The clubs lack oil income, and their revenue from radio, matchday, and merchandising is limited. They are spending in dollars or euros but earning in Turkish lira, losing ground with every transfer window. The significant difference between Saudi Arabia and the "Big Three" is that Saudi Arabia follows a state-financed strategy, while Turkish clubs have close relationships with political power but lack the same financial resources.
