INTERVIEW
He is among the first in France to have believed it. In 2004, Jean-Michel Aulas created the women's section of Olympique Lyonnais; fifteen years later, it is saying that he was right. Firstly because his team has achieved great results on the sporting level, with 13 titles of champions of France and six Leagues of champions. But also because the case is now very profitable, under the impetus of an already successful World Cup in France. But "JMA" assures it, on Europe 1: "Initially, it was not a financial investment, it was rather a social investment".
"This dynamic is absolutely extraordinary"
"First and foremost, there is the heart stroke, because it corresponds to a philosophy that characterizes me: in all my companies, whether in sports, but also in digital and many others, I always privileged a form of diversity, equity in work.We know that in a more systematic way, women at work, sport, have qualities that do not necessarily have all men ", praises the boss of OL on the eve of the quarterfinals of the Blue against the United States.
Listen to Jean-Michel Aulas' full interview at 10:20 pm in Isabelle Millet's night newspaper. The replay of the show is to be found here.
Jean-Michel Aulas is not surprised by the enthusiasm aroused by the team of France. "We had a little anticipation but this being, this dynamic is absolutely extraordinary," he admits. "On the one hand because we have an audience that is mature in women's football, a little thanks to Olympique Lyonnais, and then because it's a global trend." Today, all the ingredients of women's football , but also of women's sport in general, are at the highest ".
"Rates have changed"
He himself already benefits from the fallout of this excitement: "The phenomenon that invades the media today is already affecting Olympique Lyonnais". Investors "do not say they want to put more money, but we tell them that tariffs have evolved," he confesses.
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So, more and more clubs are playing women's football, like FC Barcelona, which invests a lot in this area. From there to question the hegemony Lyon in Europe? "The experience of Paris Saint-Germain in boys shows that money is not everything and that regulation must intervene," wants to believe Jean-Michel Aulas, a bit teasing. "This is also the hope of a women's sport, but undeniably, the competition will be even harder in the future." This is also the case for the players of Corinne Deacon. Before being able to dream of a final, on July 7th at Groupama Stadium, in Lyon then, it will be necessary to pass the American mountain. And if the secret was to dare to believe it?