Berlusconi‘s Post-Football Era Ends with €240 Million Monza Loss
monza, Italy – September 26, 2024 – The final chapter in Silvio Berlusconi’s ambitious, yet financially draining, return to football ownership has closed with the sale of Monza to a consortium led by Adriano Galliani, revealing a staggering €240 million loss on the club. The transaction, finalized today, marks the end of an era for the former Italian Prime Minister, whose foray back into the sport following his ownership of AC Milan proved substantially less successful.
Berlusconi acquired Monza, then a Serie C club, in 2018 with the stated goal of propelling them to Serie A within a few years. While he achieved that ambition – Monza secured promotion to the top flight in 2022 – the financial cost has been immense. The sale, while avoiding potential bankruptcy for the club, underscores the significant investment required to compete at the highest level of Italian football and the risks associated with ambitious ownership models. The deal’s closure follows Berlusconi’s death in June 2023, leaving his holding company, Fininvest, to manage the sale process.
The initial investment in Monza totaled approximately €100 million for the club itself, coupled with a further €140 million injected to cover operational deficits and player acquisitions over the five years of Berlusconi’s ownership. Despite attracting notable players and achieving on-field success, Monza consistently operated at a loss, heavily reliant on Berlusconi’s personal funding.
Adriano Galliani, who served as AC Milan’s long-time CEO under Berlusconi, spearheaded the acquisition.The new ownership group intends to stabilize the club’s finances and build a enduring model for long-term success. “This is a bittersweet moment,” Galliani stated following the announcement. “We honor Silvio’s vision for monza,but we must now focus on ensuring the club’s future stability.”
The sale price was not officially disclosed, but sources close to the deal estimate it to be significantly lower than the total investment, confirming the €240 million loss. This outcome serves as a cautionary tale for other investors considering entering the volatile world of football club ownership, highlighting the delicate balance between ambition, financial prudence, and on-field performance.