French professional football in European context: how much different? [Французский Профессиональный Футбол В Европейском Контексте: Насколько Велики Отличия?]

The article analyses interrelation between financial and sporting performance of professional football clubs in France. The general assessment of that performance is given. The inputs mobilized for attaining such performance are examined in order to evaluate the efficiency of French professional football clubs. Against the background of a typically optimistic financial self-assessment on the part of French football clubs, the article examines the sources and structure of professional football finance, as well as the role of the league’s auditing body. Then it presents analysis of some key factors of financial performance, stressing the football clubs’ soft budget constraint and a vicious circle between the increasing commercial value of TV broadcasting rights,and skyrocketing club payrolls.