Once the pinnacle of European football, Serie A is now a shadow of its former self. The league that once dominated with legendary clubs and world-class players is struggling to keep pace with the English Premier League, La Liga, and even the Bundesliga. While many point to TV rights and revenue gaps as key reasons, the decline of Serie A runs much deeper.
In the 1990s and early 2000s, Serie A was the dream destination for football’s biggest stars. Clubs like AC Milan, Juventus, and Inter Milan attracted legends such as Ronaldo Nazário, Paolo Maldini, and Zinedine Zidane. Italy’s tactical brilliance and defensive mastery made the league the most competitive in the world.
However, the early 2010s saw a dramatic shift. The rise of the Premier League, fueled by massive TV deals, began pulling top talents away from Italy. Spain’s La Liga also secured dominance with Barcelona and Real Madrid becoming global powerhouses. Serie A, on the other hand, struggled to adapt to modern football’s commercial evolution.
While TV revenue plays a role in Serie A’s struggles, it is not the sole reason for the league’s decline. Poor financial management, outdated stadiums, and a lack of global marketing have all contributed to its fall.
Unlike the Premier League, which distributes TV money more evenly, Serie A has long been dominated by a few clubs, creating a financial imbalance. Smaller teams struggle to compete, leading to a less competitive league overall.
Moreover, Italy’s rigid bureaucracy and outdated infrastructure have hindered stadium renovations, making matchday revenues significantly lower than those of English and Spanish clubs. Juventus’ decision to build its own modern stadium in 2011 showed the benefits of independence, but other clubs have been slow to follow.
As other leagues grew financially, Serie A clubs found it increasingly difficult to keep their top talents. Gone are the days when Italian teams could outbid their European rivals. Today, rising stars see the Premier League as the ultimate goal due to better wages, higher competition, and greater exposure.
Even Italian players are moving abroad in search of better opportunities, a situation unthinkable during Serie A’s golden era. The league’s inability to attract or retain world-class talent has further weakened its global appeal.
Serie A’s fall is not irreversible. A focus on modernizing stadiums, improving financial management, and enhancing global marketing could help Italian football regain its lost status. The recent resurgence of Napoli and the Milan clubs in European competitions offers hope, but long-term structural reforms are needed.
TV revenue is important, but as Serie A’s decline has shown, it is not everything. Football success is built on strategy, financial stability, and adaptability—areas where Italian football must urgently improve.
Source:
https://x.com/CitiSportsGHA/status/1887966787129442696?t=qMbJsmHjd-HCINmeYkQyvg&s=19