Data envelopment analysis method in comparison with traditional indicator approach in the assessment of financial condition of Ekstraklasa clubs

Abstract

The aim of this article is to apply the technical efficiency indicators obtained using the CCR and BCC models of the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), which are measures of the financial condition of Ekstraklasa football clubs that played matches, in the highest class in Poland, in the season 2014/2015. Statistical and discriminatory analyses were used in order to examine the interdependence between the performance indicators and the financial condition of clubs illustrated by three indicators: current liquidity, net profitability and debt. The choice of football clubs was determined by the availability of data from reports of Deloitte as well as Ernst & Young. The research shows that there is a strong correlation between performance measures and financial indicators. The analyzed interdependence was confirmed by the results of testing the differences significance of financial indicators between the group of effective and ineffective clubs. Indicator which considerably differentiates clubs and has the greatest impact on results is financial liquidity. The results obtained indicate that measures computed using the CCR and BCC models can be applied to assess the financial condition of sports clubs.