Folha Seca #89 – Lorin Parys, CEO of the Belgian Pro League

Notas do episódio

The guest on this episode of Folha Seca is Lorin Parys, CEO of the Belgium Pro League and former Chief Operating Officer of Club Brugge. Throughout the conversation, Lorin reflects on his transition from club management to leading the League during a critical period marked by the fallout of a match-fixing scandal, detailing how the "Football First" plan was implemented to restore trust and financial stability. He dissects the League’s strict "Positive Equity" regulations—acting as a mandatory savings account for clubs—and explains the strategic decision to prioritise intelligence over size, evidenced by pioneering investments in centralised data and youth development. Lorin also breaks down the upcoming format changes to an 18-team league, aiming to balance the heavy schedules of European contenders with the need for domestic solidarity. Finally, as a Board member of the European Leagues, he addresses the complexities of the international calendar, the collapsed BeNeLiga project, and Belgium's unique competitive advantages in the transfer market relative to its neighbors.