Milan, image rights in players’ contracts like Napoli: the idea

The capsule collection dedicated to Rafael Leao was a success. Jersey, oversized t-shirts, sweatshirts. All products with strong references to the Portuguese passions and in that streetwear style that the new generations like so much. For the occasion, the number 10 actively collaborated in the creation of the collection and, from a commercial point of view, he sold the license to Milan, receiving in exchange a percentage of the sales. In the future the Rossoneri club could make this type of partnership structural. Inside the club, in fact, we are starting to think about the possibility of including image rights in the contracts of footballers, at least those who have a certain appeal off the pitch. It would be a revolution. Milan, like almost all clubs, always keeps the commercial exploitation of the athlete out of the contracts that regulate the employment relationship (as an employee) with the same. Image rights are usually retained by the athlete who uses them independently. This is due to the agreement stipulated in 1981 between the FIGC, the Leagues and the AIC which, in article 1, states: “Footballers are recognized as having the right to use their image in any lawful and decent form, including for direct or indirect profit-making purposes, provided that it is not associated with the names, colours, shirts, symbols or insignia of the club to which it belongs or of other clubs of the National League or National League Serie C, and provided that it does not take place during official football activities”.