Source:REUTERS/Benoit Tessier
[Saba Sports News] Rachida Dati, a candidate for Mayor of Paris, recently addressed the ownership of the Parc des Princes in a media interview. The stadium has long been owned by the City of Paris, with Paris Saint‑Germain (PSG) only leasing it. The club has long sought to buy the stadium, but negotiations have repeatedly failed, leading PSG to consider leaving Paris and building a new stadium in another city.
In her interview, Rachida Dati took a clear stance: she pledged to negotiate the sale of the stadium with the club, while setting conditions. She demanded that the club build a comprehensive sports and cultural complex near the stadium and collaborate with local sports associations, so that ordinary Parisians could also benefit from the project. The goal is to keep the club in Paris and turn the area into an influential sports hub.
In our view, the candidate’s willingness to sell the stadium is essentially a bid for votes. Appealing to football fans and large enterprises can help secure more support. Besides, the previous deadlock benefited neither side: the club risked leaving, and the city stood to lose a steady source of revenue. For the club, purchasing the stadium is undoubtedly positive. It would avoid having to relocate to the suburbs, gain full operational control, and boost its commercial value.