Everyone Pays for FFP
Olympique Lyon have officially been relegated—not due to performances on the pitch, but because of financial fair play violations. It’s a shocking moment for one of France’s most historic clubs and the consequences extend far beyond the local fanbase. For Ligue 1, this is a crisis that cuts deep.
According to the GVPR, Lyon are ranked the fourth most popular club in Ligue 1 by average player ranking in the squad. Lyon boast a global following and a strong presence on international broadcasts. They are ranked only behind the likes of PSG, Monaco and Marseille. Their matches are regularly among the most watched in Ligue 1 outside of PSG’s, making them one of the league’s most bankable brands. Now, with Lyon forced into Ligue 2, the league has lost not just a team, but a flagship product.
The Future of Ligue 1
The league, already reeling from a major TV revenue shortfall, now faces an even greater challenge. Ligue 1 began the season aiming for €1 billion in domestic broadcast revenue, but secured just approximately half of that sum. Including international rights, the total reached roughly €600 million, still far below expectations. Losing a club as popular as Lyon will only make future negotiations harder, with broadcasters likely to be less interested in what remains. With fewer marquee fixtures and fewer stars to promote, the league’s overall appeal continues to decline.
The fallout is already visible. Rayan Cherki, one of the league’s most talked-about young stars, has already completed a move to the Premier League. More are expected to follow. Ligue 1 has long struggled to retain talent, but with Lyon gone and financial pressure mounting, the exodus could accelerate.
A Helping Hand
Even PSG, usually rivals on the pitch, seem to grasp the magnitude of the issue. Reports that they are looking for ways to help Lyon deal with their financial crisis may raise eyebrows, but the reasoning is clear. Ligue 1 can’t afford to lose a club like Lyon. Their absence isn’t just felt by fans—it’s a blow to the league’s credibility, marketability, and competitive depth.
In the GVPR, where popularity is tracked rather than performance, Lyon has remained a French popularity giant. Stripping them from Ligue 1 punishes the entire ecosystem. With fewer stars, dwindling media interest, and rising instability, the league risks falling further behind Europe’s top competitions. The popularity of Ligue 1 has long been known to be lesser than that of the Premier League or LaLiga, but with giants Lyon now out of the picture, it’s hard to imagine the French topflight closing the gap anytime soon.