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Big losses at Juve

The authoritative Swiss Ramble reviews the latest accounts of Juventus.   The pre-tax loss widened from €208m to €252m (€254m after tax), as revenue dropped €35m (8%) from €450m to €415m and profit on player sales fell €3m (9%) to €28m. Operating expenses rose €1m (6%), while net interest payable increased €5m (49%) to €16m.

Unsurprisingly, Juventus huge €254m post-tax loss is the worst in Italy to date for 2021/22, much higher than Inter €140m and Milan €67m. Almost all Italian clubs have posted losses in the past 2 years, influenced by COVID. One exception is Atalanta who made €35m net profit.

In fact, the €254m post-tax loss is the highest ever in Italy, ahead of Inter €246m and their own €210m in 2020/21. Their total €289m deficit for 2020 and 2021 was one of the worst in Europe, only surpassed by Barcelona €689m, PSG €350m, Inter €337m and Everton €296m.

After four years of profits , Juventus have now made losses five seasons in a row, worsening each year and adding up to a €579m pre-tax deficit in that period. The club expects 2022/23 results to “significantly improve”, though not so much that they will manage to break-even.

Losses were largely, but not solely, caused by the impact of COVID, which Juventus estimated as a hefty €320m for 3-year period between 2020 and 2022, including losses in match day income and retail sales, plus lower money from player sales due to a deflated transfer market.

The importance of player trading to the Juventus business model is illustrated by them making €557m profit from player sales in the 5 years up to 2021, nearly €200m more than Napoli, and the best performance in Europe, comfortably ahead of Chelsea €471m and Real Madrid €411m.

Highest revenue in Italy

Excluding player sales, Juventus revenue fell €80m (16%) in the past three years from the €494m peak to €415m, though still club’s 3rd highest ever. Reduction has been driven by match day, down €38m due to COVID restrictions, and broadcasting, partly offset by commercial growth.

Despite the fall, Juventus €415m revenue is still highest in Italy, well ahead of Inter €354m, Milan €241m, Roma €197m and Napoli €179m (2020/21 figures). The only leading club that has greatly grown revenue is Atalanta, doubling from €85m in 2019 to €169m thanks to Champions League.

Importance of Champions League

It is imperative that Juventus do well in Champions League to boost broadcasting income, as Serie A TV rights are low at €1.1bln, especially after new deal fell 13% (domestic down 5%, international 37%). Agnelli described the Premier League €3.9bln deal as “unapproachable”.

The Swiss Ramble estimates that Juventus earned €76m from the Champions League after reaching the last 16, €7m less than prior year, mainly due to TV pool (smaller Italian deal, less favourable Serie A finish). Still better than other Italian clubs: Inter €63m, Milan €45m and Atalanta €39m.

Worth noting the influence on Champions League money of the UEFA coefficient payment (based on performances over 10 years), where Juventus had the 6th highest ranking, guaranteeing them €31m, compared to much lower amounts at Milan €17m, Inter €16m and Atalanta €5m.

The Champions League is extremely important for Juventus, earning them €419m in the last 5 year, significantly higher than other Italian clubs (Inter €225m, Roma €201m & Napoli €193m), though they peaked in 2017 with €110m. This season’s struggles are therefore meaningful.

Commercial income rose €5m (3%) to €200m, including more money from activities taking place at the stadium. Juve have almost doubled this revenue stream since 2016, distancing themselves from Inter, whose revenue from Chinese sponsors has fallen from its peak.

As a result, Juventus €200m commercial income is comfortably the highest in Italy, well ahead of Inter €142m, then a big gap to Milan €94m, Fiorentina €58m & Roma €53m. However, Juve miles below other too European clubs like Bayern €345m, PSG €337m and Real Madrid €322m.

The wage bill rose €29m (9%) from €323m to €352m, the highest ever in Serie A, despite Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Man United. The only other Italian club with similar growth in the past 5 years is Inter, but others have hardly increased at all, e.g. Milan and Roma.

Wages

The wage bill of €352m is significantly higher than the rest of Serie A with closest challengers being Inter €262m, Milan €170m, Roma €169m & Napoli €155m. However, a fair bit less than European peers, e.g. PSG €503m, Barcelona €432m and Man City €401m (all from 2021).

The wages to turnover ratio increased from 72% to 85%, the club’s highest since 2011 and well above UEFA’s recommended 70% limit. This is mid-table in Italy, around the same as Napoli and Roma, but a fair bit higher than Inter 74% and Milan 70% (though these are from 2021).

Based on Transfermarkt, #uventus have by far the highest gross transfer spend in Serie A in last five years (up to 2022/23) of €880m, around €400m more than Inter €495m, Roma €489m, Milan €478m and Napoli €443m. On a net spend basis, Juve €282m is just ahead of Milan €261m.

Gross debt of €223m is now 3rd highest in Italy, below both Inter €472m & Roma €335m. Loans were originally for stadium development, but have increasingly been used to finance investment in squad. 

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