The Champions League run in the 2022-23 season allowed AC Milan to register a €6m profit for the same period, having registered a loss of €66m in 2021-22. The importance of the competition is evident.
Milan have registered a profit for the first time since 2006, which says a lot about the progress they have made on the commercial front in recent years. The takeover of Gerry Cardinale and RedBird has certainly accelerated that growth.
For a club like Milan, with poor domestic TV rights and no stadium of their own, the Champions League is crucial from a financial point of view. The Rossoneri’s run in the competition last season yielded a whopping €125m between prize money and ticket sales.
Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport yesterday, club president Paolo Scaroni confirmed that Milan’s main objective is to remain in the Champions League. Winning the Scudetto, as such, would just be an added bonus at the end of the season.
“Milan must always be in the Champions League, I have no other objectives. Would I like to win the scudetto? Yes, very much so, but it’s not our number one goal. We are a great global club. We have to be in the Champions League because we want our fans around the world to see us. From this point of view, being first [in the standings] at this moment is an important step in that direction,” he stated.
It should be pointed out that while the management is more focused on a top-four finished, Stefano Pioli and his players are keen on going as far as possible. Scaroni’s words, as such, should not be mistaken for the team’s desire.
