Off The Pitch

French football is walking a financial tightrope, with Ligue 1 clubs experiencing a rise in revenues for 2024 - yet the stability of their finances is increasingly in question. We’ve analysed the financial accounts of all clubs, and while commercial income has grown and matchday revenue has improved, escalating costs and player wages are creating sustainability concerns. With the conclusion of the CVC funding in 2024, clubs are becoming more reliant on player sales to improve EBIT, raising further questions about the long-term viability of this financial strategy. Insights from broadcast consultant Pierre Maes highlight the risks ahead, as the league could face mounting economic pressure. 1. How are rising revenues masking financial instability in French football? Despite growth in commercial and matchday income, the rise in expenses—particularly player wages and transfers—has created an unsustainable financial environment. The conclusion of the CVC funds in 2024 only compounds these pressures, with clubs needing to balance the books without this external support. 2. Why are player sales becoming crucial for Ligue 1 clubs' financial health? With operating losses increasing and broadcasting revenues stagnating, Ligue 1 clubs have come to rely heavily on player sales to report positive EBIT. This strategy, however, is only a temporary fix that obscures underlying financial inefficiencies and isn’t a viable long-term solution. 3. What implications does the financial situation in Ligue 1 have for other European leagues? The financial difficulties faced by French clubs—stemming from dwindling broadcasting deals and reliance on CVC funds—serve as a cautionary tale for other European leagues, believes Pierre Maes. As broadcasting revenues continue to face downward pressure, other clubs may soon find themselves in a similar financial bind. Read article 👇 https://lnkd.in/dAQHA46K #Partnership #Broadcasting #SportsBusiness #Commercial #Sponsorship #Football #SportsBiz #Finance #People #Data #Tech #Intelligence #Investment

⚽️ Morning Snapshot 👔 Bernard Schuiteman will become the Dutch club RKC Waalwijk’s new Technical Director at the end of the season, taking over from Mo Allach, who departs after five years at the club. 👔 Rudi Völler has extended his contract with the German Football Association (DFB) as director of the men’s national and U21 teams through to 2028. 🤝 City Football Group and Oak View Group have launched Eastlands Venue Services, a joint venture aimed at streamlining operations and catering across the Etihad Campus, including Manchester City Football Club and the Co-op Live arena. 🤝 Athletic Club and streaming service MAX have partnered to promote the second season of The Last of Us, with the series logo to appear on the team’s kit for the upcoming match against Rayo Vallecano. 🤝 Villarreal CF and IES Miralcamp de Vila-real have renewed their partnership, enabling students in sports-related programmes to continue gaining hands-on experience at the club’s facilities. #Partnership #Broadcasting #SportsBusiness #Commercial #Sponsorship #Football #SportsBiz #Finance #People #Data #Tech #Intelligence #Investment

⚽️ Morning Snapshot 👔 Emilio Garcia Duarte has been appointed as the new Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) at Real Betis Balompié, joining after a 15-year stint with the National Basketball Association (NBA). 👔 Nicolas de Tavernost is poised to become the new CEO of LFP Media, the commercial rights division of LFP - Ligue de Football Professionnel. 🤝 Danish club Brøndby IF have signed a three-year agreement with Boozt, making them the naming sponsor of the stadium’s east stand. 🤝 PepsiCo has extended its sponsorship of UEFA Women’s Football through to 2030, ensuring continued brand presence at matches including the Women’s Champions League and UEFA Women’s EURO 2029. 🤝 Major League Soccer and ScorePlay have unveiled a strategic partnership, with the media asset management platform set to enhance the league’s capacity to manage and distribute content. #Partnership #Broadcasting #SportsBusiness #Commercial #Sponsorship #Football #SportsBiz #Finance #People #Data #Tech #Intelligence #Investment

⚽️ Morning Snapshot 👔 Christian J. Schultz has been named head of communications at Dansk Boldspil-Union (DBU). He departs Danish club Brøndby IF after nearly a decade as their director of communications. 👔 Roberto Mancini is set to become U.C. Sampdoria's new technical director. He replaces Pietro Accardi, who has been relieved of his duties. 🤝 Brazil’s second division, Série B, has revealed Superbet as its new official naming partner. 🤝 AC Milan have unveiled a new partnership with betting company Reals Bet, who become their official regional betting partner in Latin America. #Partnership #Broadcasting #SportsBusiness #Commercial #Sponsorship #Football #SportsBiz #Finance #People #Data #Tech #Intelligence #Investment

⚽️ Morning Snapshot 👔 Andy O'Boyle has been appointed managing director of Liverpool Football Club Women. 🤝 Infront Bettor has secured a new three-year agreement to continue distributing international betting rights for Brazil’s Serie A. 🤝 TNT Sports U.S. has retained domestic media rights to Argentina’s Primera División through to 2031. 🤝 Fubo has extended its media rights deal for the English Premier League in Canada. #Partnership #Broadcasting #SportsBusiness #Commercial #Sponsorship #Football #SportsBiz #Finance #People #Data #Tech #Intelligence #Investment

Football clubs are always looking for new ways to grow, but RCD Mallorca are taking a distinctive model - leveraging the island’s global appeal to expand their reach and revenue. Club president and majority shareholder Andy Kohlberg shares how Mallorca’s strategy goes beyond matchdays, turning the stadium into a year-round hub while tapping into the millions of tourists visiting the island. #SportsBusiness #Commercial #Football #SportsBiz #Finance #People #Data #Intelligence #Investment #Newsletter

⚽️ Morning Snapshot 👔 Gabriele Gravina, president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC - Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio), has been appointed UEFA’s first vice-president, while Hans-Joachim Watzke, CEO og Borussia Dortmund, and Jesper Møller Christensen, chairman of the Danish FA (Dansk Boldspil-Union (DBU), have been named vice-presidents at the 49th Ordinary UEFA Congress. 🤝 Borussia Dortmund and the National Football League (NFL) team Pittsburgh Steelers have entered into a partnership to expand their reach in each other’s markets through collaborative events, media content, and fan initiatives. 🤝 AZ Alkmaar have named AFAS Software as their new main sponsor from the 2025/26 season, with the agreement running until mid-2030. 🤝 The German Football Association (DFB) have secured Unilever as their new personal care partner for both the men’s and women’s national teams. 🤝 Brentford Football Club have partnered with DeterTech | UK & IE as their official site security provider. #Partnership #Broadcasting #SportsBusiness #Commercial #Sponsorship #Football #SportsBiz #Finance #People #Data #Tech #Intelligence #Investment

⚽️ Morning Snapshot 👔 Loic DESIRE has reached an agreement in principle to become Stade Rennais F.C.’s new sporting director, leaving his position as head of recruitment at Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace. 🤝 The Football Association and Hilton have unveiled a three-year partnership, naming Hilton as the Official Hotel Partner of the England football teams. 🤝 LALIGA and the Baskonia - Alavés Group have entered into a collaboration agreement aimed at advancing education and training opportunities within the sports industry. #Partnership #Broadcasting #SportsBusiness #Commercial #Sponsorship #Football #SportsBiz #Finance #People #Data #Tech #Intelligence #Investment

After a decade helping shape clubs like Norwich City Football Club and Huddersfield Town Football Club, Stuart Webber is back—but this time, not inside a club. Together with Leigh Bromby and Darius Henderson, he’s co-founded Bromby & Partners, a football recruitment and consultancy firm aiming to bring something different to the industry. Backed by 80+ years of combined experience across academy, first-team, executive, and agency roles, the trio is tackling one of football’s most persistent challenges: finding the right people to fill an ever-expanding range of roles in the modern game. What sets Bromby & Partners apart from other football recruitment firms? The founders have firsthand experience in the very roles they’re now helping to recruit for. This insider perspective brings a deeper understanding of club operations, empathy for candidates, and the ability to provide honest, developmental feedback, Webber believes. Which types of roles and services are they focusing on? The firm works across the full spectrum of football operations—from academy managers to fitness coaches, physios to heads of recruitment. They also offer consulting on transfer strategies, club transitions, and long-term planning, particularly useful for clubs facing promotion, relegation, or new ownership. Is the firm only focused on English football? While the English game remains the foundation, Bromby & Partners have international ambitions. They've already explored opportunities in the U.S. and are eyeing markets like the Saudi Pro League (SPL), aiming to support both inbound and outbound talent recruitment with a global perspective. Read interview 👇 https://lnkd.in/d5Vei-VH #Partnership #Broadcasting #SportsBusiness #Commercial #Sponsorship #Football #SportsBiz #Finance #People #Data #Tech #Intelligence #Investment

⚽️ Morning Snapshot 👔 Bayer 04 Leverkusen have introduced three new department heads: Marleen Groß as head of brand, Tobias Schmidt as head of internationalisation, and Jan B. Thelen as head of marketing and B2C sales. 👔 Sergio Navarro is set to step down as director of the academy at Athletic Club this summer citing family reasons. 💰 Huddersfield Town Football Club have submitted their 2023/24 financial accounts, revealing a loss of £15 million. 💰 Wrexham AFC have reported a record turnover of £26.7 million—an increase of 155 per cent on the previous year. Despite this, the club concluded the 2023/24 financial year with a loss of £2.7 million. 💰 Barnsley FC have disclosed a loss of £2.8 million for the 2023/24 season. Although the overall loss decreased, their operating loss rose by £3.8 million to £9.67 million. 💰 Bolton Wanderers Football Club have posted a loss of £11.2 million for the 2023/24 season. However, revenue rose by 10 per cent to £21.3 million. 💰 Peterborough United Football Club have reported a loss of £2.3 million for the financial year ending 30th June 2024. 💰 Northampton Town Football Club (Official) have achieved a record turnover of £6.7 million for the 2023/24 financial year. Nevertheless, losses doubled to £2 million. 💰 Gillingham Football Club have recorded a £4.35 million loss for the 2023/24 season, despite a £1.9 million increase in turnover. 🤝 RC Celta have unveiled JP FINANCIAL as their new official sponsor. The investment and financial planning consultancy has signed a deal running until June 2026. 🤝 AS Monaco have extended their partnership with VBET, continuing as their official sports betting partner until 2029. #Partnership #Broadcasting #SportsBusiness #Commercial #Sponsorship #Football #SportsBiz #Finance #People #Data #Tech #Intelligence #Investment