The future of the league-owned broadcaster Ligue 1 Plus is in danger, according to the head of the LFP, Vincent Labrune.
The LFP launched the in-house broadcaster last summer, following DAZN’s premature exit. The broadcaster had signed a five-year deal just one year earlier, but pulled out due to profitability concerns, arguing that the league were doing little to prevent piracy, which was harming viewing figures.
Ligue 1 Plus currently has over one million subscribers. Whilst the coverage itself has been praised, it is a solution that has provided little by way of financial relief for clubs in Ligue 1. And its future is now in doubt.
In order to retain subscribers over the summer, when domestic football will stop, the broadcaster sought to acquire the broadcasting rights for the FIFA World Cup. A deal looked advanced, with RMC Sport even revealing a contract sent from FIFA to the broadcaster.
However, BeIN Sports intervened, swooping and securing the rights. That has led to the departure of Nicolas Tavernost, the CEO of LFP Media. He has been left fuming by the turn of events. And for Labrune, there is now concern.
“All of the administrators have supported Ligue 1 Plus, but Nicolas’ (Tavernost) media positions have provoked a commotion and I realised that it could be hard to put the record straight. I am not convinced that we can bring back a positive moment to the project,” said the LFP’s CEO.
Another crisis and at an inopportune time, too. Should the project fail, Ligue 1 would be in search of a fourth broadcaster in the space of four seasons.
