Foot Unis, the French professional football club union, and Accuracy unveil the results of the French Professional Football Impact Barometer, which analyses the economic, social and environmental benefits of professional football for the 2022/23 season. The Barometer highlights the significant contribution of football to the French economy and employment, whilst emphasising the major challenges that clubs will have to face in the years to come.
Key figures from the Barometer
- Almost 40,000 people employed by French professional football across the country.
- Economic impact of €5.3 billion.
- Social security and tax contributions totalling €1.21 billion for the State.
- Reduction in annual domestic broadcasting rights revenues of approximately 25% for the 2024–29 period.
French professional football, a major economic contribution
Professional football is an important contributor in France’s economy. In 2022/23, clubs generated €5.3 billion of added value thanks to investments in infrastructure, gate receipts, sponsorship, broadcasting rights and player transfers, as well as through all the sectors benefitting from the football ecosystem.
The football sector, with its strong local presence, generates almost 40,000 jobs, of which 1,500 professional players. Each club therefore represents, on average, 850 jobs; each player, 25. In addition, clubs contribute significantly to the State’s revenues, having generated €1.21 billion in taxes and social security contributions in 2022/23, representing a considerable weight in public finances.
The economic benefits of football also spill over to peripheral sectors, like hospitality, restaurants, transport and media, contributing to employment estimated at 17,000 jobs (included in the total of 40,000). Each football club works as an economic lever for its region, boosting local business and generating opportunities for service providers.
French professional football, a considerable social impact
Beyond its economic contribution, French professional football plays a fundamental social role. Clubs invest in local initiatives, associations and social projects, with challenges of inclusion, education and solidarity. In 2022/23, over one million people benefitted from the social actions and Corporate Social Responsibility projects undertaken by clubs. These initiatives cover a wide range of actions, from promoting diversity and equality to fighting against racism and homophobia, all whilst supporting 2,500 local organisations, non professional clubs, and humanitarian and environmental causes.
Clubs are showing increased environmental commitment, with 71% issuing carbon footprint reports and implementing measures to reduce their impact on the environment. The inclusion of environmental criteria in the Club Licence demonstrates the willingness of the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) to encourage clubs to adopt sustainable practices.
The decrease in broadcasting rights jeopardising local jobs
Professional football contributes to the economic and social fabric of local communities by employing thousands of people and supporting peripheral industries (hospitality, food services, transport, media, sports equipment). However, with the average decrease in broadcasting rights of approximately 25% for the period 2024–29, French clubs will reduce their expenditure. This situation could endanger thousands of local jobs, not to mention the financing of amateur sport, which would also be affected by this loss of revenues.
‘Football is a driving force for local dynamism: it represents economic value, a cornerstone of social impact and an institution deeply entrenched in the local community, far from the football “business” that we often imagine,’ says Laurent Nicollin, President of Foot Unis and of Montpellier Hérault SC. ‘In this period of economic turbulence, it is essential to support the sector to continue to come together, create jobs and strengthen the social bond in our communities.’
Complex challenges for a unique ecosystem
The Barometer underlines the environmental, social and economic challenges that face professional football in France and highlights the importance of adopting new financing and development strategies. Through the rise of Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives and the integration of sustainable practices, clubs have put in place ambitious measures, like calculating their carbon footprints and promoting green transport options for spectators.
However, the resources available to implement such initiatives are at risk of falling due to the decrease in broadcasting rights.
For Henri Philippe and Jeremie Israel, partners at Accuracy: ‘The Barometer reveals both the complexity and the diversity of French professional football’s impact. This edition illustrates that the ecosystem, whose vitality nourishes our regions, is now in jeopardy. We would like to thank Foot Unis for entrusting us with the task of documenting this unique ecosystem, and we hope that our analysis will contribute to a better understanding of the issues that are crucial to the sector’s long-term survival and vitality.’
A quantification based on a proven methodology
To prepare the Barometer, Accuracy used a methodology that relies on recent publications and data, as well as on the economic theory of ‘impact quantification’ (notably that of Nobel Prize winner Wassily Leontief).
This model quantifies the multiplier effect of football by measuring not only its direct contributions, like added value and club jobs, but also the induced, indirect and spillover impacts on connected sectors, such as hospitality, transport, the media or local commerce.
Finally, Accuracy used its market sentiment analysis tools on social networks to appreciate public perception around key themes, for example, the clubs’ economic impact, social commitment and environmental actions. This general approach ensures a complete assessment of the impact of professional football in France.