The data the administration transmits to the Ministry of Finance paints a disturbing picture • The teams have so far lost NIS 60 million • A season without an audience will lead to another deficit of 171 million • And the strike of the 2020/21 season in the senior leagues - a move that will send thousands to the USSR - seriously considered

• Will the league not open next season?

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  Ami fat

If you are worried that the Corona's second wave of eruptions in the 2020/21 football season will not open at the scheduled time, we have bad news for you - as of today, there is a chance that the league will not open at all. This is because Israeli football officials recommend that the leagues administration immediately announce the next season's strike in the Premier League and the National League, unless the Treasury provides a NIS 80 million economic safety net for the teams, as already agreed with the Sports Ministry. 

Next week will be critical. If the Treasury refuses to grant the safety net, the Administration will consider drastic measures, and one such recommendation is the disabling of leagues - a move that will lead to the removal of thousands of people to the USSR. 

This morning (Friday), we are unveiling for the first time in "Israel Today" all the data that the Administration has provided to the Treasury regarding next season. These are alarming figures, which indicate that the major earners in the Premier League are barely dozens and do not represent the vast majority, and that without the safety net in question, the industry may collapse.

The administration is preparing for the next season to be played entirely without an audience, and according to this scenario, the Treasury presented a forecast of NIS 171 million in losses to groups. The amount in question was received after deduction of NIS 36 million, which will be saved as a result of the failure of public operations. 

The data also shows that between five and seven groups will be significantly damaged as a result of not selling tickets and appointments. According to the administration's figures, between 50 and 60 percent of Hapoel Tel Aviv and Beitar Jerusalem's budget are based on ticket sales and appointments, with Hapoel Haifa accounting for 35 percent and Hapoel for 30 percent. Maccabi Tel Aviv and Maccabi Haifa - which has the fatest budgets in the league - is about 30-20 percent of the budget, Maccabi Netanya and Bnei Yehuda are about 20-15 percent, and the rest of the teams are less than 15 percent. 

The Administration also released very worrying data on past season losses, for which the teams have not yet received a dime, while sectors and other businesses have already been compensated under the advertised beats program. According to the same data, the teams have lost up to NIS 92 million to date due to lack of audience, loss of sponsors and salary increases due to the postponement of the games by July. If this amount is deducted from savings of security costs, cuts in players 'and employees' wages, and discounts from authorities for stadium use, this is a loss of NIS 60 million. 

And despite all that, the teams were ready to absorb the powerful blow and settle for immediate NIS 20 million compensation to be shared between them, but that too has not yet closed. The conclusion comes from the fact that the non-opening of the league will result in the release of 5,000 to 10,000 employees from the industry. And more. 

In the second circle are service providers who work with the groups on an invoice, such as security, bookkeeping, legal advice, gardening, drivers and the like. The third and final circle consists of sound people, ashtrays, sellers in stadium stands, football card makers, journalists, photographers and more. 

According to these figures, if 5,000 workers leave the USSR and receive an average of NIS 8,000 unemployment benefit, it would cost the state NIS 40 million a month. Here the question is: Is it not better for the Treasury to provide an 80 million safety net for a full season and avoid thousands more unemployed? The answers, probably, next week.