2 weeks Ago By Anthony Nlebem
French Ligue 1 clubs have voted in favour of terminating their domestic television agreement with DAZN at the end of the current season, throwing the league into uncertainty over its financial future. The total value of the deal was €500 million annually, a drop from the previous €624 million arrangement. The decision follows a breakdown in relations between Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) and the British-based streaming platform, which rejected a recent proposal from the league aimed at salvaging the partnership.
This marks the latest chapter in a long-running broadcasting crisis in French football, dating back to 2020 when Spanish media company Mediapro pulled out of a record-breaking deal just months after it began. The DAZN deal, signed just weeks before the 2023/24 season kicked off, was seen as a lifeline at the time. It replaced Canal Plus and Amazon, with DAZN broadcasting eight of nine weekly Ligue 1 matches, while Qatar-owned beIN Sports aired the remaining game.
Under the existing terms, DAZN was to contribute €400 million per year through to 2029. However, the contract includes a clause allowing either party to withdraw at the end of the current season. The LFP has now exercised that option.
In a statement, the French league confirmed that mediation efforts with DAZN, launched in March, had failed to resolve growing tensions. The LFP now expects DAZN to meet its contractual obligations in the short term. The streaming company delayed a €35 million payment earlier this year and still owes two further installments totalling €140 million, due at the end of April and in June.
According to sources cited by AFP, the LFP proposed terminating the contract with a compensation offer of €140 million this season and a further €110 to €125 million next season. DAZN rejected this, instead demanding up to €573 million in compensation, citing breach of contract. DAZN reportedly has only around 500,000 paying subscribers to its Ligue 1 coverage.
The platform has blamed the LFP for failing to tackle illegal streaming effectively and claimed some clubs obstructed efforts to enhance the viewing experience by denying media access. Ligue 1 clubs, already financially strained, face an even more precarious future. With no clear broadcast partner lined up beyond this season, uncertainty looms over a key revenue stream.
The LFP’s domestic TV deal is already significantly lower than those of Europe’s top leagues, particularly the English Premier League. In response, some clubs have floated the idea of launching a league-owned streaming service. However, insiders admit such a move would offer limited guaranteed income initially and could take years to become sustainable.
Meanwhile, fans remain in the dark about how or where they will be able to watch Ligue 1 matches from next season onwards..
