De Siervo: New Champions League Format Impacts Serie A’s Value

Luigi De Siervo, CEO of Serie A, recently shared his thoughts on the changing landscape of football broadcasting and competition at a roundtable discussion in Milan. He highlighted the challenges faced by Serie A in the global market and expressed concerns about the impact of an expanded Champions League on domestic leagues.

De Siervo acknowledged that Serie A had not effectively capitalized on globalization in the past, but emphasized that the league is now focusing on becoming a media company and creating its own content factory. He stated, “The sports television market has evolved, and we’re working to catch up by developing our internal media production capabilities.”

Regarding the new Champions League format, De Siervo warned that it could potentially devalue Serie A over time. He explained, “Paradoxically, from an economic standpoint, we should hope that Italy doesn’t secure a second spot in the UEFA rankings. As the Champions League grows, it attracts viewers who previously watched national leagues, which in turn affects our broadcasting revenues.”

De Siervo also touched on the issue of state-owned clubs, suggesting that current sanctions have been ineffective in addressing the financial imbalances they create. He criticized UEFA’s relationship with the European Club Association (ECA), arguing that despite representing 700 clubs, the ECA is primarily influenced by a select group of 15 powerful teams.

In conclusion, De Siervo expressed concern that the new Champions League format could have a “Super League effect” on national tournaments, potentially undermining the competitive balance and financial stability of domestic leagues like Serie A.