In a surprising turn of events, global music sensation Drake played a pivotal role in raising $40 million to rescue Italian soccer club Venezia FC from the brink of bankruptcy. According to GQ Italia, the historic club, currently competing in Serie A, Italy’s premier football league, was facing severe financial difficulties during the 2023-2024 season, with bankruptcy looming as a real threat before the start of the new season.
Drake’s involvement began with a phone call from Brad Katsuyama, co-owner of Venezia FC and a close friend of the rapper’s Chief Business Officer, Matte Babel. Babel recounted the urgency of the situation, stating, “Brad explained the crisis in straightforward terms: Venezia needed to raise €10 million within weeks, and an additional €30 million in the following months, or the club would be forced into bankruptcy.”
In response, Drake and his team quickly mobilized, managing to secure the necessary funds in just two weeks, effectively steering the club away from financial collapse. Beyond the immediate financial support, Drake’s influence extended further into the club’s branding, as Venezia FC also secured an apparel deal with his Nocta brand, which contributed to designing the team’s new uniforms.
Drake’s intervention has not only provided financial relief but also infused the club with fresh energy and global attention, highlighting the rapper’s expanding influence beyond the music industry.