French football is facing a new crisis regarding television rights, reminiscent of the issues experienced in 2020 with Mediapro. This time, DAZN, the main broadcaster of Ligue 1, has threatened to withhold agreed payments, prompting the Professional Football League (LFP) to call an emergency board meeting. The situation comes at a critical time for clubs, which heavily rely on TV revenue for operations and player acquisitions.

DAZN, which holds the rights to eight out of nine Ligue 1 matches per matchday for €400 million per year, has fallen short of subscription expectations, barely surpassing 100,000 users. This figure is far from the streaming platform’s goal of 1.5 million, raising concerns about the long-term viability of its contract.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE TO TV CRISIS

With DAZN threatening to withhold its fourth payment installment, the LFP has convened a board meeting to address the television rights situation. French media have reported numerous rumors about the crisis, sparking concern among league officials.

DAZN has complained about the difficult conditions it faces, including piracy and some clubs’ reluctance to offer innovative content. The platform may even resort to legal action to resolve the situation. If DAZN fails to attract enough subscribers, the LFP may be forced to terminate the contract in two years and seek a new broadcaster.