Le Figaro. How do you approach this unique situation in the history of sport?
Eric de Cromières: The question is complex because we have, for the moment, no concrete element to answer it. The only thing we have is the net loss of revenue for a game. If we differentiate between revenue and costs for a match, we can say that in the Top 14 - depending on the club, the crowd, the economic model ... - the net loss per match is between 300,000 and 800,000 euros. 800,000 euros is for clubs that have a model that relies heavily on ticketing and partnerships, such as Toulouse, La Rochelle, we ... 300,000 euros is for clubs that do not rely on this model and who have less to lose. If we stopped the regular season to focus on the final stages, if we say that we no longer play the nine regular season matches that were scheduled until early June, it would be necessary for each club to multiply these amounts by the number of matches not played. In the case of ASM, we are in the 800,000 euros multiplied by the 5 matches where we were to receive, we can therefore count on 4 million euros ( losses ). In addition to this amount, there may be other costs. Can we compensate for a certain number of things, in particular with the provisions of the State? What it'll do at the end, I don't know. It is difficult to calculate. Isn't it going to be necessary to have some gestures towards certain partners or subscribers?
" For Pro D2 clubs, the damage will be less "
What about the issue of player wages?
For Pro D2 clubs, the damage will be less because the State compensation up to 4.5 times the minimum wage amounts to € 4,850. In Pro D2, a player who receives 10,000 euros in gross salary, he will receive 8,000 euros net. Less the 15% of partial unemployment, the final cost will be lower, around 1,000 euros for the club. I even think that several clubs will lose nothing. They will be almost in equilibrium in this situation. Others could be impacted up to 1 million euros, depending on their business model based on ticketing and partners. In Top 14, when you are at 30,000 or 40,000 euros monthly, and you are reimbursed at 4,850 euros, it's not the same song…
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Do you expect player effort?
This will be the subject of negotiations between all the parties. But the drop in wages should be the same for all clubs. No way everyone can do as they wish. I made a proposal: operate in installments. Up to 150,000 € annual salary, you don't touch. From 150,000 to 300,000 €, a reduction of 5%. And beyond, minus 10% ... It will be the subject of discussions.
" We can always search but the economic models we have are the ones that we manage to make "
The economic model of rugby is based more on ticketing than football. It is a real handicap in the current situation…
You have to be careful what you say. We are talking about global figures when we say that rugby is only dependent up to 20% of TV rights while football is dependent up to 80%. It is still necessary to develop the equation. The 20% in rugby is divided equally between the clubs. In football, the distribution is more oriented towards the big clubs. I think that the PSG must touch 60 M € and certain small clubs owe much less. There can be a ratio of 1 to 20.
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Will rugby have to change its economic model?
We can always search, but the economic models that we have are the ones that we manage to make. It is not because there has been the coronavirus that we will be able to change our economic model. And then, the economic models are not homogeneous. There are clubs which have a model based on the world attracted to the stadium: the Stade Toulousain, La Rochelle, Bordeaux and Clermont. And then there are clubs which do not have the capacity to have an operating result in balance and whose cash is supplemented by patrons: Montpellier, Stade Français, Racing, Lyon ... patron does not care about the economic model. He will put what it takes.
" Either the clubs go into debt, or the club has a patron ... "
Does rugby live beyond its means?
Patrick Wolff (in Midi Olympique ) had a unique answer for a world that is "puzzled". Clermont does not live beyond his means. Insofar as we arrive each year at the balance of the operating account, while respecting the salary cap. Besides, I hope that there is no longer just a constraint in terms of salary cap but also on the operating account. Either the clubs go into debt, or the club has a patron. You have to ask MM. Altrad and Wild how much they have put in the pot since they arrived. We would be built up of the sum ... On the other hand, if we continue in terms of inflation on wages, it will always make - whatever the economic model - its feasibility increasingly difficult.
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