Drake Helps Raise $40 Million for Italian Soccer Club

As an Italian football club teetered on the brink of bankruptcy, an unlikely hero showed up at Venezia FC’s doorstep, ready to strap on his shin guards.

According to GQ ItalyDrake played a key role in helping raise $40 million to keep Venezia football club afloat in Serie A. The franchise was considering filing for bankruptcy ahead of the 2023-24 season and could be demoted to the lowest tier of Serie D due to poor performance.

“I got a call from Brad Katsuyama, co-owner of Venezia and a good friend of mine,” said Matte Babel, Drake’s commercial director, who also works in management. “He laid out the problem for me in a simple way: Venezia needs to raise €10 million in a few weeks, and then at least €30 million in a few months, or the club will go bankrupt.”

Babel called Drake and things immediately started to turn around to help Venezia FC get back on its feet. It took just two weeks to raise the money needed to end the bankruptcy thanks to the mobilization efforts of Drake and his team. Billboard has reached out to Drake representatives for comment.

“Venice is an incredible city and Venezia has always been 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 in place and had raised the money needed to pay salaries and avoid bankruptcy.”

GQ Italy The newspaper reports that the $40 million came from a group of North American investors and largely credits the involvement of the 6 Gods. The new ownership team has formed an operating committee to “oversee the strategic direction of the club.”

“Matte was my first point of contact when I knew the club needed help,” said Katsuyama. “Drake’s value to any football club is undeniable, given his stature as a global superstar and the reach of his brand. This intersection of culture and sport is exactly where we want to be, and the chance to partner with a brand like NOCTA that is moving in the same direction is incredibly valuable.”

Venezia FC has also partnered with Drake’s Nocta line, which is helping to design its new uniforms. The club has invested €315 in the construction of a new stadium, an indoor arena with state-of-the-art facilities, which the team hopes to open in Venice for the start of the 2027 season.