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 �?3.5 million from TV deals. Serie B clubs, however, spent much less, about �?0.6 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. 

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