Tuesday November 28, 2023

One Loss with Big Implications for Juventus

  • Juventus was bounced from the Champions League tournament by Porto, a loss that could have big implications for the team's future.
  • Central to that are the fates of star Cristiano Ronaldo and coach Andrea Pirlo.
Juventus FC/Design: Alex Brooks
Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

When Italian soccer giants Juventus crashed out of the Champions League Round of 16 on Tuesday, they lost more than a notable European game.

A second straight failure to make the UCL quarterfinals dropped the team’s stock price by 9% the following day. The club has been hit hard by the pandemic and resulting attendance bans, and its stock price has been stuck 30% lower than its pre-COVID mark, per Bloomberg.

Questions loom, from the stability of inexperienced coach Andrea Pirlo to the tenure of 36-year-old superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.

The legendary Portuguese forward, who received ample blame for Porto’s clinching free-kick goal, is signed through June 2022 and is the face of the Juve brand. The team’s stock more than doubled over the summer of 2018 when it brought in Ronaldo from Real Madrid.

The Nike-sponsored athlete’s presence has been credited for the team’s renewed agreements with brands like Allianz, which holds the club’s stadium naming rights, and Jeep, which signed a $55 million-per-year renewal on its jersey sponsorship deal in December.

“The renewal of [Ronaldo’s] contract is not an issue on the agenda for the immediate [future] — there is time to talk about it,” said team sporting director Fabio Paratici.

As for Pirlo, the club confirmed that he will remain through May, with the board deciding then whether to retain him. Much of that decision hinges on overcoming their 10-point deficit to Serie A leaders Inter Milan.

Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

AC Milan's Dubai HQ Furthers Middle Eastern Ties In European Soccer

The Italian soccer club is opening an office in Dubai.
San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts wears the ALS Lou Gehrig Day and Motorola patches during a game against the Chicago Cubs at Petco Park.

Major U.S. Sports Leagues Pull In Record $6.7B in Ad Revenue

Major U.S. sports leagues and teams saw big increases in ad revenues.
AC Milan forward Christian Pulisic reacts against Real Madrid in the first half at the Rose Bowl.

AC Milan Eclipses $400M In Revenue, Is Profitable For First Time In 17 Years

Series of on- and off-field successes fuel historic financial report
DAZN-microphone-on-grass

DAZN, Sky Italia Land Serie A TV Rights For Nearly $5B

Five-year pacts with DAZN, Sky Italia provide critical financial lifeline
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Reich’s Firing Sign of Tepper-Fueled Chaos in Carolina

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

Lane Kiffin

Ole Miss, Lane Kiffin Lawyers Argue for Dismissal of Player Lawsuit

FOS obtained audio of Lane Kiffin's interaction with the player behind lawsuit.
LSU Lady Tigers head coach Kim Mulkey reacts against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the NCAA Womens Basketball Final Four National Championship at American Airlines Center.
November 6, 2023

Who Is The Highest-Paid Women’s College Basketball Coach?

LSU rewarded Kim Mulkey after winning a national title after her second year leading the program.
The Pac-12’s Collapse Will Have Ripple Effects on College Basketball.
November 6, 2023

The Pac-12’s Collapse Will Have Ripple Effects on College Basketball

The existing Pac-12 host a college basketball season for the last time.
Favre Presley
November 3, 2023

Brett Favre Controversy Casts Shadow Over Mississippi Gubernatorial Race

Candidate Brandon Presley has made the scandal one of his talking points.

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
Adidas
Multiple - USA Careers
NBA
Multiple - USA Careers
Kroenke Sports Enterprises
Multiple - USA Careers

Two U.S. World Cups in Two Years?

The United States is hoping to host the 2027 Women's World Cup.
Oct 22, 2022; Paris, FRANCE; General view the Eiffel Tower and the Seine river, as seen from Pont Alexandre III in advance of the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games. The bridge will serve as the site for triathlon, open water swim and road cycling.
November 20, 2023

Paris Olympics Problems Continue With Price-Gouging Claims

Average room prices expected to more than triple for upcoming Games.
November 21, 2023

Cricket Continues To Surge In Popularity

Tournament posts record-level attendance, streaming totals.
Sponsored

USGA’s Amanda Weiner on Delivering
Personalized Fan Experiences with
 AI and Automation

How the USGA is using AI to streamline content creation and distribution.
Saudi player wins ball from Argentinian player in World Cup match-up
November 17, 2023

$1B Saudi Arabian-FIFA Deal Expected To Follow 2034 World Cup Bid

Saudi oil company Aramco is reportedly close to a deal with FIFA.
November 14, 2023

Wimbledon Expansion In Doubt Amid Local Objections

Local borough planners recommended rejection of project
November 9, 2023

Major Pay Increases Hitting International Women's Soccer

The Women's FA Cup is doubling its prize money.
Olympic rings in front of mountains in the background
November 8, 2023

France Joins Race To Host 2030 Winter Olympics With Official Bid

The IOC will determine a host country in 2024.