In a recent press conference, Olympique de Marseille president Pablo Longoria shared his thoughts on the ongoing TV rights crisis that has significantly impacted French football. This article aims to provide an in-depth analysis of Longoria's perspective and the current situation surrounding the broadcasting rights of Ligue 1 matches.
The issue at hand revolves around this season’s broadcaster DAZN confirming three weeks ago that they have reached an agreement with the LFP (Professional Football League) to end their Ligue 1 broadcasting contract. This move has sparked a significant crisis within French football, as it leaves a void in terms of who will broadcast future matches.
Pablo Longoria's take on the situation
Longoria, during his end-of-season review at a press conference attended by Get French Football News, expressed his views on this matter. He labeled it as "a disgrace," highlighting the severity of this issue and its potential impact on French football.
Pablo Longoria, Marseille president, said:
“It’s a huge failure to have four broadcasters since I’ve been in France. I think the problem with French football is a lack of confidence and that we’ve distanced ourselves from the fans. The fans think we’re incompetent and that we live in an ivory tower. How can you ask for £40 a month and at the same time subscribe to BeIN Sport? Honestly, you have to respect people. Everyone has made short-term decisions and you lose credibility.”
“What’s more, you (the press) never tell the story of your league. During the week, we’re always embroiled in controversy… We need to sell the championship, the good things. I talked about it with Roberto, it’s one of the most complicated championships, but it’s very poorly sold. You don’t talk about the stories, the big games that everyone wants to see. We’re the second largest economy in the EU with the second highest rate of pay TV in households, and we have lower TV rights than Portugal. It’s a disgrace. “
“We have an operational cost for the LFP that will exceed the amount of TV rights, which means we’re completely out of touch with reality. Everyone needs to stop living in a parallel reality.”
Creating their own channel
In response to DAZN ending their contract, there is now a desire from within the league to create their own channel which would then be partnered with one or multiple broadcasters. This plan could potentially offer more control over how games are broadcasted and may also open up new revenue streams for clubs and players alike.
However, such an undertaking would require significant resources and expertise in broadcasting - something that not all clubs may possess or be able to afford. It also raises questions about how viewership might be affected if fans are required to subscribe to yet another sports channel. The TV rights crisis is undoubtedly causing waves within French football circles. As we wait for further developments regarding Ligue 1's future broadcasting plans, it remains clear that these changes could have far-reaching implications for both clubs and fans.
Pablo Longoria's strong words serve as a reminder of the high stakes involved in this situation. As the Olympique de Marseille president, his perspective is a valuable insight into how clubs are grappling with these changes and what they could mean for the future of French football.
