Morante de la Puebla is set to make a small fortune this summer thanks to his packed-out schedule that includes at least 11 bullfights – most of them in Andalucia.
The legendary matador, 46, is apparently recovering fast after his first ‘comeback’ date in Sevilla saw him brutally gored in the anus.
He has vowed to keep to all his scheduled appearances over the coming weeks, which include Jerez, Ronda, Marbella, Sevilla and Granada.
Speaking to the Spanish Eye, Javier Sanabria, secretary of animal rights group PACMA, said the matador can earn up to €100,000 per fight, depending on the venue.
It would mean a staggering €1.1million in earnings this summer, although he is unlikely to be charging full whack for every appearance.
Sanabria explained that Morante’s fee ranges from €60,000 to €100,000, meaning he is at least expected to make half a million euros.
One of his biggest appearances will be at Marbella this summer, where is he scheduled to perform twice – after selling out the bullring last year.
It’s the same venue where the Spanish Eye last week witnessed the controversial Becerradas event – where rookie teenage matadors clumsily (and slowly) killed six young bulls as part of their training.
The sport appears to be growing in political support despite dwindling enthusiasm from the public.
Sanabria told the Spanish Eye: ‘Right-wing parties are the ones keeping bullfighting alive.
‘Now, with the rise of the far right, which is even more pro-bullfighting, the People’s Party (PP) has doubled down on its support for this spectacle, trying to attract the votes of this far-right bullfighting supporter.
‘Which, on the other hand, it has never really lacked, because the PP is currently the party that most supports and subsidizes it.’
He adds: ‘At the same time, it turns out that business owners, breeders, and bullfighting enthusiasts openly support the right and far right, so it’s a feedback loop: political power with business power.’
Currently, according to the most recent BBVA survey, around 78% of the population does not consider themselves bullfighting supporters or rejects bullfighting altogether.
‘There are some political parties that are in favour and others that claim to be against it, but they do nothing to prevent it, as do business owners and even the clergy,’ fumes Sanabria.
‘We must remember that the King of Spain is the First Knight of the Royal Cavalry Armory, therefore it is a powerful lobby that, under the guise of tradition, maintains it, even legally requiring subsidies for these types of events.
‘There is no popular petition, nor any support whatsoever; it is simply the interests of a very powerful lobby.’
Despite this, Sanabria says he is optimistic that the bloodsport is on its last legs.
‘Every day that passes brings us closer to seeing the end of this custom; attendance and social support are dwindling,’ he said.
‘And the data confirms it: the bullrings are empty, only filling up for those featuring the current stars.
‘For example, in Sevilla, out of the 20 or 22 bullfights during the April Fair, only two or three fill the arena.
‘And many attend for the sake of appearances, to get their picture taken or to be featured in the media, because they don’t go the rest of the year.’
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
