Global streaming service DAZN has reached an agreement with the French soccer’s LFP organizing body to terminate their domestic broadcast contract for the top-flight Ligue 1 after just one season. The OTT platform and the league came to a resolution following a vote by the LFP board of directors, consisting of presidents of Ligue 1 clubs.
DAZN will pay €100 million to break the contract, and make final two rights payments worth another €140 million. This agreement between DAZN and the league is set to be presented to the LFP’s administrative council on May 2 for ratification.
DAZN has expressed interest in maintaining a partnership with the LFP as it plans to launch its own channel next season. If named as a partner for this new venture, DAZN would forego paying €100 million fee for breaking their current rights contract.
DAZN released statement:
“The league may have other options, although we believe that in context of launching their own channel project, we can bring significant added value.”
Talks with Nicolas de Tavernost
DAZN has held discussions with Nicolas de Tavernost who was recently appointed as CEO of the newly formed subsidiary -LFP Media. De Tavernost brings extensive experience from his tenure at French media giant M6 (2000-2024) and soccer side Bordeaux (owned by M6 between 1999 and 2018).
However, it remains uncertain whether or not this relationship will continue given recent tense negotiations over their broadcast deal. Earlier this year, citing challenging operational conditions due partly to piracy issues and insufficient cooperation from certain clubs, DAZN failed to pay half of a rights fee instalment of around €70 million that was originally due in January. This led the LFP to take legal action against the broadcaster.
After mediation by the Paris Economic Activities Tribunal, DAZN finally paid the remainder of its January media rights fee in late February. The two parties agreed to extend their mediation process with a deadline set for April 10.
Future of Ligue 1 broadcast rights
Ligue 1 matches are currently shown domestically by both DAZN (eight matches per game week) and BeIN Sports (one game), through a five-year deal that began at the start of this season. These agreements are worth around €400 million annually, with DAZN paying most of this figure.
The LFP is expected to hold talks with BeIN Sports about ending their agreement as well. The summer of 2024 saw a disastrous saga over Ligue 1 media rights which put several second-tier Ligue 2 clubs at risk of bankruptcy had an agreement not been reached.
This development marks a significant shift in French football broadcasting landscape since it's the first time since 1984 that Canal Plus is not airing live Ligue 1 matches.
