Serie A revenue sharing deal confirmed

A majority of the clubs of Italy’s top football division, Lega Serie A, yesterday voted, as expected, in favour of a proposal outlined last week on a system for sharing income from the sale of media rights for the period 2012-13 to 2014-15.

Of the 20 clubs, 16 voted in favour of the proposal. Two clubs – Palermo and Chievo – voted against, and a further two – Fiorentina and Napoli – abstained.

The new system maintains the basic split of income along the 40:30:30 lines established in the ‘Melandri Law’ of 2008, in which 40 per cent of media-rights income is divided equally, 30 per cent on supporter base and 30 per cent on sporting results.

However, two changes have been introduced. From this season, €30 million ($38.1 million) will be set aside as a parachute payment for the three clubs relegated to Serie B, up from the current maximum of €22 million. In the following two seasons, the additional income from the increase in the annual value of the rights will be used to provide an extra merit award for clubs finishing in the top 10 positions, with the top club receiving an extra €2.8 million down to €800,000 for the 10th club.