During the board meeting of November 18, 2024, Jean-Marc Mickeler, president of the DNCG, revealed an alarming forecast for French clubs. As revealed by L'Equipe, Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 are expected to record an abysmal operating loss of 1.2 billion euros for the current season. This critical situation comes two years after the injection of 1.5 billion euros by CVC, of which 1.2 billion had been redistributed to the clubs.
Losses of more than a billion, colossal deficit in sight?
Last year, despite an initial loss close to a billion, exceptional player sales (€830 million) limited the damage to €250 million. This season, even with a successful transfer window, the DNCG hopes to reduce the deficit to €500-600 million, highlighting the urgency of rethinking the economic model of French football. Mickeler does not hesitate to sound the alarm. “French professional clubs do not generate as much operating income as their counterparts in other major leagues. Their viability relies on the sale of talent and rigorous cost control, two conditions put to the test in recent years. »
The decrease in revenues from HVAC, from €472 million in 2022-2023 to only €136 million this season, worsens the situation. At the same time, domestic TV rights fell by 35%, despite an 80% increase in international rights. Added to this are increasing costs. “Our revenues are falling, but not our expenses. CVC had directed its contribution towards investments such as players, infrastructure or digital, which we are still amortizing,” confides a manager, while the economic crisis also amplifies the difficulties, limiting the commitment of partners. Very worrying…
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To summarize
It's no surprise, Ligue 1 is seriously sticking its tongue out financially. But the DNCG has just confirmed it in a frightening way. Indeed, the latter announces losses of more than a billion euros in sight!
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