Financial crisis leads to relegation of OL from Ligue 1: Key milestones in eight years of economic struggle
Unraveling the Financial Plight of Olympique Lyonnais
So long, Lyon! Yep, you heard it right. After a tumultuous financial journey, the renowned Olympique Lyonnais (OL) is facing relegation to Ligue 2. The French football's financial watchdog, DNCG, slammed the axe down in June 2025, making it official (though it was pronounced cautiously in November 2024). According to their board, this decision is a head-scratcher, as they're yet to get a hang of the reasons behind this financial reckoning.
The team's been battling financial troubles for quite some time now, and things worsened with the arrival of the American business tycoon, John Textor, who took over the reins in summer 2022. Let's dive into the main events that pushed the seven-time French champion dangerously close to the precipice.
Bye-Bye, Pathé and IDG
For almost three months prior to June 2022, the folks at Pathé (19.38%), IDG (19.85%), and Jean-Michel Aulas (27.72%) - the major stakeholders of OL Groupe - made it clear that they were packing their bags and calling it quits on their Lyon adventure. In mid-June 2022, they reportedly entered into exclusive negotiations with the holding company Eagle Football, which is fronted by John Textor[1].
[1] Source: Olympique Lyonnais – "OL entame des négociations exclusives avec Eagle Football"[2] Source: L'Equipe – "L'OL rejoint la Ligue 2 après des années de dérapage financier"[3] Source: Le Monde – "Olympique Lyonnais : la DNCG ordonne la relégation administrative de l'équipe en Ligue 2"[4] Source: France Bleu Rhône – "L'OL confronté à une relégation administrative onze mois après le prononcé"[5] Source: France Football – "L'histoire de la descente de l'OL en Ligue 2" (Enrichment Data)
- The sudden departure of Pathé, IDG, and Jean-Michel Aulas in June 2022, who collectively owned a significant portion of OL Groupe, was a pivotal step in the finance-centric saga of Olympique Lyonnais.
- Investing in Olympique Lyonnais took a peculiar turn when American business tycoon John Textor, through his holding company Eagle Football, took over the club in June 2022, marking a shift in the business dynamics of the seven-time French champion.
- Despite Textor's entry, the financial troubles of Olympique Lyonnais continued to escalate, causing the European football leagues to watch with concern as the once-respected club inched towards relegation.
