• Loading stock data...
Monday, December 2, 2024

Why This Copa Title Netted Argentina an Extra $10 Million

  • Argentina got $16 million for its Copa América victory Sunday, far more than it did for winning the tournament in 2021.
  • The team has won $64.5 million in soccer prize money in the last three years.
Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Lionel Messi and Argentina have won three major international competitions in the past four years: two Copa América titles and a World Cup. Yet the prize pools have been all over the place.

In 2021, the team got $6.5 million for its Copa América win.

In 2022, the squad raked in $42 million by winning the World Cup.

On Sunday, Argentina earned $16 million for its record-breaking 16th Copa América title.

Between the two Copas, the prize pool greatly expanded to $72 million. This year, all 16 participating teams got $2 million, while the winner received $16 million, according to ESPN. The runner-up earned $7 million, third place $5 million, and fourth place $4 million, the outlet reported.

That total amount is nearly four times the size of the $19.5 million prize pool distributed in 2021, as well as the $21.5 million pot doled out in ’16. In both cases, champions Argentina and Chile took home $6.5 million.

Despite a poor performance from the U.S. men on the pitch, playing the tournament in North America in recent years has helped the tournament—one of the oldest in the world—grow its influence outside South America. The 2016 centennial tournament and final in New Jersey was the first time Copa América was played outside a CONMEBOL member country. That tournament grew from 12 to 16 teams to include more Concacaf members. The ’21 tournament shrank to include only the 10 CONMEBOL member teams, but returned to the larger 16-nation field this year.

But the prize money still pales in comparison to the concurrent and more consistent tournament across the pond. After winning its also record-breaking fourth European Championship, Spain took home about $31 million, while the total prize pot was roughly $357 million, the same as the 2020 tournament.

The biggest chunk of Argentina’s recent riches comes from the World Cup, which also saw a record prize pool in 2022. Each qualifying team took home $1.5 million of the total $440 million, and Argentina received $4 million more than France did for winning in ’18.

How the money actually gets distributed is up to the federation. But $64.5 million in prize money over the last three years should lead to a nice payout for Messi and his teammates, who already have some of the highest wages among players in the tournament. Argentina carried 26 players on its roster at both the Copa and the 2022 World Cup, the maximum number for each tournament.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

U.S. Investors Are Gunning for England’s Small Soccer Clubs

Is another Hollywood-like success story possible among the U.K.’s smallest clubs?
Nov 1, 2024; Boise, Idaho, USA; Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) leads the team onto the field prior to the first quarter against the San Diego State Aztecs at Albertsons Stadium.

Schools Are Scrambling to Prepare for the NCAA Revenue-Sharing Era

In the post–House v. NCAA world, “everyone’s kind of on their own.”
Nov 4, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Recording artist Taylor Swift arrives prior to a game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

The PWHL Could Be Inviting a Date With Taylor Swift’s Legal Team

The Toronto Sceptres may have opened a Pandora’s box of trademark issues.
A line of Black Friday shoppers streams into the Nike Store at Tanger Outlets in Pooler.

Sportswear Giants Are Ready for Trump’s Tariffs This Time Around

Retailers cut their exposure to China when Trump imposed tariffs in 2018.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Happy Thanksgiving From FOS Today

0:00

Featured Today

Can an Elite Women’s Soccer School Survive the New College Sports Moneyball?

Santa Clara faces an uphill battle in the new college sports landscape.
Nov 16, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman (2) celebrates after defeating NJ/NY Gotham FC in a 2024 NWSL Playoffs semifinal match at Audi Field. Mandatory Credit:
November 22, 2024

The Washington Spirit’s Business Makeover Carried Them to the Finals

The team’s return to the NWSL championship looks a lot different from 2021.
Nov 18, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Williams Racing driver Logan Sargeant of the United States (2) during the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas Strip Circuit.
November 21, 2024

F1 Grand Prix Upended Vegas Last Year. Stakes Are High for Its..

Stakes are high as F1 gears up for a successful second act.
Classic Football Shirts New York Pop-Up
November 18, 2024

Vintage Soccer Jerseys Have Found a Sweet Spot in the Lucrative U.S...

The money-making shirts are at the prime intersection of memorabilia and fashion.
Oct 1, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Las Vegas Aces guard Kelsey Plum (10) drives past New York Liberty forwards Kayla Thornton (5) and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton (44) during game two of the 2024 WNBA Semi-finals at Barclays Center.

Kelsey Plum Backs Out of Unrivaled

She’s skipping the new league’s season, along with Caitlin Clark.
Juan Soto
November 26, 2024

Juan Soto Leads MLB’s Offseason Frenzy, Chasing $600M Deal

Soto reportedly has already received contract offers from five teams.
Conor McGregor speaks to press on the red carpet before the premiere of Road House at the Paramount Theatre in Austin, Texas on the first day of South by Southwest, Friday, March 8, 2024. McGregor plays the character "Knox" in the movie.
November 26, 2024

Two Big Brands Drop Conor McGregor After Rape Civil Verdict

McGregor’s whisky brand won’t feature him going forward.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
November 25, 2024

Mo Salah–Liverpool Saga Puts Saudi Arabia Back in Soccer Spotlight

The striker’s upset he hasn’t received an offer for a contract extension.
November 24, 2024

Max Verstappen Wins Fourth Straight F1 Title Despite Red Bull’s Down Year

The driver clinched another championship at the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
Despondent Giants quarterback Daniel Jones.
November 22, 2024

Giants Cut Daniel Jones Days After $23 Million Benching 

The Jones era in New Jersey is over.
Michele Kang
November 20, 2024

The Wealthy Booster Spending Millions to Turn U.S. Soccer European

Michele Kang says NWSL expansion requires more coaches and refs.