DAZN wants to cancel its Ligue 1 broadcasting contract | OneFootball

According to a report from RMC Sport, DAZN, the main broadcaster of Ligue 1 in France, wants to cancel its contract at the end of the season.

Since agreeing to take over the domestic broadcasting rights in the summer, tensions between the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) and the British broadcaster have become strained.

In February, DAZN defaulted on their monthly payment due to a dispute with the LFP. The broadcaster withheld €35 million (which was later paid) due to be distributed to Ligue 1 clubs. DAZN had grown frustrated that the LFP had not allocated their resources to the fight against piracy, while certain clubs lacked the willingness to participate in terms of content.

DAZN are dismayed that their Ligue 1 package has only attracted 500,000 subscribers in a country of 68 million, and at this rate, the number of subscribers is significantly below the amount needed for the broadcaster to break even (which is suspected to be 1.5 million).

RMC Sport writes that since this dispute in February, discussions between the league and its main broadcaster have been ongoing with the support of a mediator, and while the dialogue is far less belicose, there has not been any notable progress.

The mediator reportedly told the league that DAZN’s concerns over product promotion were understandable as clubs were implementing access restrictions on their main broadcaster. DAZN are thought to have provided an action plan that would see more exclusive interviews with high-profile players and access to more exclusive filming locations.

However, DAZN believe that this action plan has not been followed sufficiently and that they are still being denied access by certain clubs. Furthermore, they are still waiting for the ability to strengthen their anti-piracy resources.

Frustrations in the mediation process are beginning to build, and DAZN are seriously considering terminating its contract as soon as possible, and at least a year earlier than its two-season exit clause (which is only able to be triggered in December of this year).

The league have put forward the idea of placing much harsher penalties or fines on clubs that do not meet their media commitments, but this has not convinced DAZN. If DAZN do follow through with their threat, there could be a large legal battle, as the LFP will want to enforce the financial commitments that the broadcaster has made.

Ligue 1 clubs set to miss out on another payment?

RMC Sport suggests there is an amicable solution, and DAZN could waive a clause preventing the LFP from discussing a plan B with rival broadcasters. For now, the mediation continues, but eyes will be turned to April the 30th when the broadcaster is set to pay the league the next instalment, thought to be worth around €70 million.

GFFN | Nick Hartland