Investment in Women's Football: Jean-Michel Aulas Affirms Foreign Backers' Readiness
It's all good, mate. Contrary to some articles fear-mongering about the women's sections of French soccer teams losing steam, Jean-Michel Aulas, the big cheese of the French Women's Football League (LFFP), put those worries to rest in an interview with AFP on April 28.
"We've got a Plan B and made sure that if clubs run into financial trouble, we can offer them the chance to bring in a few partners to help 'em out," he said, adding that foreign investors are raring to dig into women's football. Now, that's music to our ears, right?
"Let the cash roll in from folks who care"
Apparently, around ten French Ligue 1 clubs are threatening to ditch their women's sections due to the massive decrease in TV rights for men's games, resulting in a heap of financial hassles. But, Aulas ain't having it. He suggested, just like in other countries, we should let external investors who aren't involved in men's football invest in women's football, 'cause let's face it, they're the ones willing to put their dough where their mouth is.
"If professional men's clubs ain't down for the women's pro ball game adventure, hey, we should allow it. External investors can give women's football the boost it needs," he stood firm on, understanding the struggle some clubs are facing.
"The Olympique Lyonnais did it two years ago and Michelle Kang's arrival gave women's football a mighty lift," he declared, referring to the club's success despite losing in the Champions League semi-finals.
"Clubs facing hard times," he stated, "are trying to find ways to keep their women's sports section going. And if some clubs are struggling, new blood's eager to take part in the Arkéma First League, like Lens, Marseille, and Toulouse, which have positive vibes around their women's section," he ended on an optimistic note.
What's the big picture?
While there isn't much concrete info available about external investments in French women's soccer, there are some trends and investment in women's soccer globally that give us a clue about what might happen. For instance, there's a humongous increase in media rights and sponsorships for women's soccer worldwide, which could attract more investment to major European leagues, like France. Investments like the World Sevens Football series invite positive developments in France, too.
Furthermore, ongoing partnerships, such as PepsiCo's with UEFA Women's Football until 2030, show a steadfast commitment to women's soccer in Europe, which could inspire even more investment in French women's soccer.
Despite lacking specific data on external investment in French women's soccer, the rising popularity and investment in women's sports globally could be a silver lining for struggling French clubs. As the appeal of women's soccer grows, attracting more media rights, sponsorships, and external investors becomes increasingly likely. So here's to brighter days ahead for French women's soccer!
- External investors are keenly interested in pouring funds into women's football, as Jean-Michel Aulas hinted in his interview with AFP on April 28.
- The Lyonnais, under Aulas' leadership, demonstrated the potential impact of outside investment in women's football, with Michelle Kang's arrival boosting the sport.
- Clubs in financial hardship are exploring options to keep their women's sports section afloat, and new, enthusiastic investors are ready to step in, such as Lens, Marseille, and Toulouse.
- The global sports landscape is experiencing a surge in investment in women's sports, with an increase in media rights, sponsorships, and opportunities like the World Sevens Football series.
- Ongoing partnerships, like PepsiCo's with UEFA Women's Football until 2030, illustrate a sustained commitment to women's soccer in Europe, potentially encouraging more investment in France.
- Given the rising popularity and investment in women's sports worldwide, the chances for external investment in French women's soccer appear promising, offering hope for a brighter future.
- With the growth of appeal in women's soccer, attracting more media rights, sponsorships, and external investors becomes a more likely scenario, pointing to a potentially prosperous horizon for French women's soccer.
