Ligue 1 clubs face bankruptcy without a new broadcast deal

Several Ligue 1 clubs are facing bankruptcy due to the league’s unfinished broadcast deal in France. Teams such as Lens, who finished second in Ligue 1 in the 2022/23 season, and eight-time league winners Nantes, could all close their doors depending on the league’s indecisiveness, per a report from L’Equipe.

The LFP, the body that governs France’s domestic leagues, is deciding between a $406 million deal from DAZN for the domestic rights to show games to French audiences or launching a paid streaming service available for anyone to subscribe.

The TV rights deal will have an impact on how active Ligue 1 clubs are in the transfer market, with most clubs waiting for news on a potential breakthrough. The outcome could also determine how the LFP handles negotiations for the media rights to Ligue 1 in the United States.

Ligue 1 continues vital broadcast deal talks

Per French outlet L’Equipe, a group of Ligue 1 officials recently met to negotiate their TV rights deal dilemma. They have two options on their table. They could sign an unfavorable deal with DAZN through the 2028-2029 season or launch a streaming service.

The LFP’s domestic TV rights troubles originate from Mediapro’s shock acquisition of the domestic rights for Ligue 1 . After challenging 34-year partner Canal+ in an auction, Mediapro bought the rights for a whopping $882 million per year. However, they missed payments due to COVID-induced financial difficulties and paid a $108 million severance fee halfway through the deal.

Now roughly $500 million short of their Mediapro deal, Ligue 1 sold the remaining games to Amazon over Canal+ for a cut-price $280 million.

Ligue 1 entered the 2023/24 season hoping to auction off the rights for over $850 million but canceled their auction in October after receiving low bids. Canal+ no longer wants the rights to Ligue 1, skipping out in favor of the Champions League and Premier League.

With the season due to start in…

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Author : Deolu Akingbade

Publish date : 2024-07-08 19:28:12

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