New Serie A rule cuts player pay by 25% if relegated
Serie A players will now receive 25% less pay if their club is relegated to Serie B. This is part of a new five-year deal between the league and the Italian Players’ Union. The rule starts for all new contracts signed after September 2, 2025.
Relegation in Italian football means a huge loss in money, especially from TV rights and sponsors. This new rule helps clubs stay stable by cutting player wages during tough times, but when a club returns to Serie A, full salaries will come back.
In 2022, each Serie A team made at least €23.5 million from TV deals. Serie B clubs, however, spent much less, about €10.6 million on wages, on average.
The wage cut only applies while the club is in Serie B. Also, the new deal protects younger players with a set minimum wage based on age, which stays the same even after relegation. The goal is to help teams handle the financial hit of going down a division. Serie A’s new season kicks off on August 23, 2025.
