Inter Milan Increases Revenue by 36% and Extends Contracts for Eight Key Figures: The Biggest Boost Beyond the €60 Million

In a recent wave of positive developments, Inter Milan has extended the contracts of three major executives, Beppe Marotta, Piero Ausilio, and Dario Baccin, until 2027. This extension, confirmed by renowned journalists such as Fabrizio Romano, Nicolo Schira, and Matteo Moretto, is a strong indication of the club's commitment to a long-term vision and stability. Amidst the noise from so-called experts who claim that Inter is in crisis and won't survive the next 2-3 years, this move showcases the club's overall positive trajectory and its determination to build a strong future. Just ahead of the Italian Derby, this is the perfect motivation for the team.

In addition to the management team, Inter is also set to announce contract renewals for 4-5 key players, including Federico Dimarco, Lautaro Martinez, and Nicolo Barella. Their renewals are close to being finalized, as confirmed several times by their agents. Additionally, the extensions for Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Matteo Darmian are progressing swiftly. This surge of renewals reflects not only the club's good performances and positive atmosphere but, most importantly, the improvement in Inter's financial situation, allowing the club to undertake these crucial commitments.

Renewing contracts in modern football is costly. Beyond the increased salaries, there are also expenses related to commission payments and loyalty bonuses. Inter was forced to halt all renewals during the financial crisis brought on by the pandemic, not because of a sudden lack of loyalty but due to the unavoidable financial strain. Now, as Inter's financial situation improves, the club is making efforts to reward those who have been dedicated to its success. This is the ethos of Inter Milan, a club that does not forget the contributions of its key players.

Inter is set to hold a board meeting to release the financial report for the first quarter of the 2023-24 season, which ended on September 30. Inter generated €166 million in revenue in this quarter, a €60 million (36%) increase compared to the same period last season. This is a very positive signal for the club. The revenue boost came from four main areas.

Firstly, transfer income increased significantly. The sales of André Onana and Marcelo Brozović brought in over €60 million, which is €30 million more than the same period last season. Last summer, Inter did not sell any key players, only earning around €20 million from the sales of youth players like Cesare Casadei and Niccolò Corrado.

Secondly, there was an increase in broadcasting revenue. This is the delayed reward for last season's impressive Champions League run. Some of the revenue was distributed in the first quarter of this season.

Thirdly, matchday income increased. This is due to the team's strong performances this season, which have boosted ticket sales and stadium attendance.

Lastly, retail performance improved. This is a testament to Inter's consistent online engagement efforts over the years, which are now translating into merchandise sales. The team's strong performance has also stimulated fans' interest in buying tickets, jerseys, and other Inter merchandise.

Last season, Inter reached the Champions League final. Despite not making any significant net investments this summer, the club managed a major overhaul with 12 players in and 12 out. Experts were concerned that this might lead to a significant drop in performance. However, Inter has started the new season with 13 wins in 16 games and has already secured early qualification in the Champions League. This continuity of positive momentum proves that Inter's approach is working.

Who are the key contributors to this success? Obviously, Marotta, Ausilio, and Baccin, along with the players who have been fighting hard on the pitch, deserve significant credit. Therefore, it is logical and well-deserved that Inter is pushing to renew their contracts.

Beyond these good news, there are other positive signs worth noting. For example, in the European Championship qualifiers, the Albanian national team, featuring 27-year-old midfielder Ylber Ramadani, has successfully qualified for the tournament. Ramadani recently expressed his pride in being linked with Inter, stating, "My agent has had contact with Ausilio. To get attention from Inter makes me incredibly proud." He even mentioned that if he scores against AC Milan, he will wear an Inter jersey for his next interview. This sparked some controversy, as showing respect to Inter while disrespecting his current club's fans was bound to draw criticism.

Ramadani's agent, Elio Adili, has close ties with Inter. It is no surprise that Inter's executives have a "wide net" approach, maintaining contact with many players. However, the fact that a seasoned Serie A player and a first-tier European international was so thrilled to be linked with Inter highlights the club's current appeal to players.

You might not recall, but during Erick Thohir's tenure, Inter struggled to attract top players due to poor performances. Despite the club's best efforts, many stars, and even promising talents, saw joining Inter as a step back in their careers. Nowadays, some criticize Steven Zhang while praising Thohir, but those who experienced the despair and humiliation of those times can truly appreciate Inter's current state.

This summer, Marcus Thuram chose Inter over Paris Saint-Germain, and Yann Sommer and Benjamin Pavard forced moves from Bayern Munich to Inter. Now, the fact that players from other clubs get overly excited just by hearing of Inter's interest demonstrates how the club's overall positive trajectory has significantly increased its appeal to players of all levels. This qualitative improvement may not be as quantifiable as the 36% revenue increase or the €60 million boost, but it is equally beneficial for the club's future operations.