By Andrea Caropreso
Index
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Last season Lecce set a personal record by achieving Serie A survival for the third consecutive year. This result was due not only to the coaching staff but also to a competent and hands-on management team. Among them is Pantaleo Corvino, a seasoned football expert capable of discovering countless talents later sold for significant profits to balance the club’s books. As a result, the financial statement closed on June 30 appears positive, fully leveraging player trading and prudent cost management.
The 2024 financial statement
As of June 30, 2024, Lecce reported a net profit of €13.9 million, a sharp improvement compared to the €756,000 recorded in 2023. This marked the second consecutive profitable year, a rare achievement for a mid-to-small-sized Serie A club. Revenues rose from €59.1 million to €85.3 million, a 44% increase.
| Item | 2022/23 | 2023/24 |
|---|---|---|
| Total revenues | €59.1m | €85.3m |
| TV rights | €32.4m | €40.3m |
| Player sales | €6.8m | €24.2m |
| Matchday revenues | €6.5m | €8.1m |
| Sponsorship & commercial | €7.4m | €8.5m |
| Total costs | €55.3m | €67.2m |
| Net profit | +€0.756m | +€13.9m |
| Net equity | −€4.9m | +€9.1m |
Television rights confirmed themselves as the main revenue source, bringing in €40.3 million, while player sales generated €24.2 million, largely from the transfers of Hjulmand (to Sporting Lisbon for around €18 million), Strefezza, and Ceesay. Matchday revenues remained significant at €8.1 million, while commercial and sponsorship brought in another €8.5 million.
On the cost side, the club spent €67.2 million, up from €55.3 million the previous year, but still below total revenues. As a result, Lecce maintained a positive balance, overturning the negative legacy of 2021/22 when the club had posted a loss of nearly €16 million. The most encouraging figure is net equity, which turned positive after years of deficits: +€9.1 million in 2024 compared to −€4.9 million in the previous year.
Estimates for 2025
Compared to the accounts closed on June 30 of the current year, Lecce now starts from a stronger position. Current estimates suggest total revenues between €75 and €85 million, with TV rights steady around €40 million, sponsorship and commercial income between €10 and €12 million, matchday revenues around €7 million, and potential player sales between €15 and €20 million. These numbers confirm the club’s financial stability.
At the same time, Lecce’s strategy remains based on player development and careful cost control. The latest major departure was Nikola Krstovic, sold to Atalanta for €35 million including bonuses, which will significantly impact the next balance sheet.
The Damiani ownership and investments
The Sticchi Damiani family, with Saverio as president and club figurehead, has always reiterated that Lecce must be managed under principles of sustainability, avoiding uncontrolled expenses or unmanageable debt. Over the past five years, the ownership has injected more than €30 million into the club through capital increases and loans, crucial to covering losses from 2020–2022 and ensuring compliance with registration requirements.
These interventions were decisive in leading Lecce into its current virtuous phase, which has already peaked with two consecutive profitable years. In this sense, the Salento-based club represents an efficient business model and a reference point for all mid-to-small clubs aiming to remain steadily in Serie A, while at the same time working intelligently with young talent without falling into excessive debt.
By Andrea Caropreso
