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The exit of star players from the league has broadcasters worried about Ligue 1's marketability
When the Ligue 1 broadcasting rights for the upcoming five-year cycle (2024-29) were put up for auction, the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP), aimed to secure a €1 billion fee.
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However, a lack of interest from broadcasters following the exit of key stars like Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi has forced the league to review its valuation downward.
Ligue 1 considering other options as desperation rises
The initial auction yielded no bids, forcing the LFP to negotiate directly with broadcasters such as Canal Plus, beIN Sports, and DAZN. This unexpected turn of events has placed the LFP in a precarious position, with the start of the 2024/25 Ligue 1 season just over two months away and no broadcasting deal in place.
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As the LFP struggles to secure a broadcasting partner, a sense of desperation is growing among club presidents and league officials. In response they have begun drafting contingency plans to ensure fans can still watch matches.
One notable plan B is the creation of a dedicated Ligue 1 channel, which would offer subscriptions to all league games for €25 per month. Despite these preparations, the primary goal remains to sell the broadcasting rights to an established broadcaster.
Halved valuation of broadcasting rights
The departure of star player Mbappe to Real Madrid has significantly impacted the perceived value of Ligue 1 broadcasting rights. Initially valued at €1 billion, the rights are now estimated to be worth only €500 million, according to L'Equipe.
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This dramatic decrease is set to affect teams in Ligue 1 as broadcasting rights remain a source of shared revenue for them, meaning they could struggle to bring or retain top talent, which would lead to lower viewership, creating a vicious cycle.
While teams like Paris Saint-Germain, who are backed by oil-rich owners and have other potent sources of income might fare okay, smaller team will surely feel the brunt of having lower purchasing power.
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