MOSCOW, August 10 Canadian rapper Drake helped the Italian football club Venezia avoid bankruptcy, said the artist's brand director Matte Babel.
Before the start of the 2023/24 season, the team was experiencing serious financial problems and was on the verge of bankruptcy.
«I got a call from Brad Katsuyama (co-owner of Venezia), a dear friend of mine. He laid out the problem to me simply: Venezia needs to raise €10 million in a couple of weeks, and then at least €30 million in a few months, or the club will go bankrupt. Venezia is an incredible city with a special club. I spoke to Drake, and then Brad and I discussed the details of how we could help. Within two weeks, we had a deal, raised the money needed to pay wages and prevent bankruptcy,» GQ Italia quotes Babel as saying.
From next season, Nocta, a sub-label of Nike and Drake, is set to become Venezia's new kit supplier. Venezia co-owner Katsuyama noted the value of working with the Canadian.
«Drake's value to any football club is undeniable, given his status as a global superstar and the scale of his brand. This intersection of culture and sport is exactly where we want to be. The opportunity to partner with a brand like Nocta that is on the same page is incredibly valuable,» Katsuyama said.