Beleaguered French soccer heavyweights Olympique Lyonnais lost a record sum of over €200 million ($232.5 million) during the 2024-25 financial year, it has been revealed.
These losses were sustained during a season in which the club were initially set to be demoted to the second-tier Ligue 2 (for 2025-26) on account of extreme financial mismanagement, only for that decision to be overturned on appeal in November.
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After the initial ruling and the launch of Lyon’s appeal in June, the club reshuffled their executive management, with minority investor Michelle Kang, majority owner of the associated women’s team OL Lyonnes, stepping in as president as controversial US businessman John Textor resigned from the role.
In total, Lyon lost €201.1 million, and saw non-transfer related income fall – during the 12 months up to June 30 2025 – to €162.6 million. During the previous financial year, that figure stood at €264.1 million, equating to a year-on-year drop of 38%, while in 2023-24, the club only sustained a net loss of €25.7 million.
The club's total revenue came to €273.7 million, a year-on-year drop of 24%.
In terms of the different revenue streams not related to player trading, media and marketing rights income contributed only €45.7 million, instead of €95.4 million the prior year, as the overall Ligue 1 domestic media rights saga took its toll on clubs' finances.
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By GlobalDataOn this front, the club have said that they also expect a "very significant decline" in the value of domestic media rights in 2025-26 – from what was already a low base level in 2024-25 – as all games are now broadcast by Ligue 1's own in-house streaming platform, as opposed to primarily by DAZN last season.
The amount French top-tier clubs can generate from TV revenue is also not helped by the fact that private equity giant CVC now takes a cut of the total incoming domestic media rights fees each season, as part of a wider deal with Ligue 1.
There were also year-on-year drops in income in both the 'brand-related revenue' and 'brand products' sectors, which a rise in ticketing income – to €42.8 million, from €33.9 million – did not successfully compensate for.
In the 2023-24 season, the club had only sustained a net loss of €25.7 million.
On the pitch, Lyon finished sixth in Ligue 1 in 2024-25, thereby qualifying for the pan-continental UEFA Europa League this season. They also reached the quarter-finals of that same competition last campaign.
Earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) came to minus €47.7 million last season, compared to a plus of €44.2 million the prior year.
The French club have said that the figure was "significantly impacted by higher personnel costs, mainly related to major player signings during the financial year."
In terms of recent club activity, November saw Lyon agree a new sponsorship deal with the tourist board of the Republic of Congo.
The four-season deal, beginning immediately, entails both the men’s and women’s teams – as well as youth-category sides – displaying branding with "the destination of Congo, Brazzaville" emblazoned on the lower back of club kits.
This deal, Lyon claims, is aimed at promoting the reputation of the country for both tourism purposes and economic development.
In July, meanwhile, insurance company Groupama renewed its stadium naming rights agreement with Lyon.
