Ligue 1: turnover excluding transfers (€1,619m) down for the first time since 2010-11 (-5%)

"For the first time since the 2010-11 season, the cumulative turnover, excluding transfers activities, of the 40 clubs in Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 has trended downward. It stood at €1,619m, a decline of almost €100m (-5%)," stated the DNCG, the French directorate of entreprise management control, in its annual report on "The Situation of French Professional Football" regarding the 2014-15 season, and which News Tank Football could consult on 29/03/2016.

"Audiovisual rights still remain the main resource for clubs, and account for almost half of their budgets (45%). This share has increased slightly (+3%). Sponsorship revenues, although decreasing, remain a 21% share of the total revenue of the clubs, alongside the other income category (22%)," added the DNCG.

"In a context of decreasing turnover, professional clubs have managed to significantly reduce operating expenses. After crossing the symbolic threshold of €2bn mark in 2013-14, expenses settled at €1,913m last season, a 10% reduction," said the DNCG.

"The reduction in operating expenses has helped offset the decline of the the…