The Decline of French Football

Once regarded as a bastion of European football, the French professional football leagues, Ligue 1 and Ligue 2, now find themselves in dire straits. This plight became glaringly evident as these leagues received zero bids for their broadcasting rights, heralding a precipitous fall from grace.

This alarming development comes on the heels of the departures of two iconic football figures, Neymar and Lionel Messi, from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), a prominent club in Ligue 1. In this comprehensive exploration, we will delve into the intricacies of this setback and the multifaceted implications it carries.

Soccer Football – Paris St Germain Training – Paris-Saint-Germain Training Centre, Poissy, France – August 18, 2023 Paris St Germain’s Kylian Mbappe with Ousmane Dembele during training REUTERS/Christian Hartmann

The Vanishing Broadcast Rights

The crux of the matter lies in the disconcerting revelation that not a single entity was willing to invest the substantial £693 million annually to secure the rights to broadcast Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 matches. Adding a layer of complexity to this issue is the fact that Canal Plus, a long-standing broadcast partner that has been synonymous with French football since 1984, did not submit a bid for the upcoming 2024-29 cycle.

This departure is particularly significant because Canal Plus has been a fixture in French football ever since the inception of paid TV services in the country. However, recent conflicts with the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) have strained this relationship to a breaking point.

Changing Hands: Amazon and DAZN

In the midst of this crisis, the broadcasting rights have changed hands. Amazon Prime Video currently holds Ligue 1’s domestic rights and airs eight matches per week, whereas Canal Plus remains involved through a sublicensing agreement with BeIN Sports to broadcast two matches. Amazon Prime Video pays a notable €275 million annually, while Canal Plus contributes €330 million to BeIN Sports.

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football – Champions League – Round of 16 First Leg – Paris St Germain v Bayern Munich – Parc des Princes, Paris, France – February 14, 2023 Paris St Germain’s Lionel Messi reacts REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier

In a noteworthy development, DAZN has entered the French market, launching a local version of its sports streaming service, enabling subscribers to watch live Ligue 1 matches through a distribution agreement with Canal+. DAZN even dedicates a ‘Canal+ Ligue 1’ channel on its streaming platform, providing further visibility to French football.

LFP’s Ambitious Aspirations

The ambitions of the LFP, the governing body for professional football in France, are undoubtedly lofty. The LFP aspires to secure a staggering €1 billion annually for its domestic and international rights in the forthcoming cycle, spanning from 2024 to 2029. To understand the significance of this ambition, it’s crucial to note that BeIN Sports, in its current role, pays a mere €70 million annually to market Ligue 1 overseas, a figure deemed inadequate by many French top-flight clubs. The LFP seeks to augment this figure to €200 million per season for the rights to broadcast games outside of France.

Canal Plus’ Exit: A Setback for Ligue 1

Canal Plus’ decision not to participate in the bidding process is undeniably a significant setback for Ligue 1. This setback is particularly poignant as Ligue 1 was endeavouring to attract multiple bids for its domestic rights, now offered for five years, a departure from the customary four-year duration. The LFP has set reserve prices of €530 million and €270 million for the league’s two primary live packages, which represent annual increases of €10 million and €5 million, respectively.

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football – Ligue 1 – Stade Rennes v Paris St Germain – Roazhon Park, Rennes, France – January 15, 2023 Paris St Germain’s Neymar reacts REUTERS/Stephane Mahe/File Photo

Messi and Neymar’s Departure

The departure of two footballing icons, Lionel Messi and Neymar, earlier this year has dealt a heavy blow to PSG and, by extension, Ligue 1. The exit of these luminaries from the French league robs it of the star power that could help generate substantial revenue through broadcast rights. The future of Kylian Mbappe, PSG’s biggest star at the moment, remains shrouded in uncertainty. Mbappe’s contract with PSG is set to expire next summer, and his reluctance to renew suggests a potential move, most notably to Real Madrid. The implications of this potential transfer are profound, as it could ignite a new saga in the realm of football transfers.

LFP Cancels Auction

The LFP’s hopes of achieving €1 billion annually for both domestic and international rights have been dashed, leading to the cancellation of the auction for Ligue 1’s domestic broadcast rights. This failure has had a ripple effect, resulting in the postponement of the auction for Ligue 2 rights, which are currently held by BeIN Sports. As of now, the LFP is exploring various avenues, including engaging with potential bidders who have yet to submit an offer for its rights, a list that could potentially include both Canal Plus and Amazon.

The Elusive Billion-Dollar Goal

The LFP’s aspiration to secure €1 billion in revenue annually for its domestic and international rights reflects its unyielding desire to compete with its European counterparts. However, the stark reality is that the LFP has failed to secure offers that even remotely approach this valuation. This challenge is reminiscent of Serie A’s ongoing struggles to attract bids for its domestic rights, prompting discussions about launching a direct-to-consumer (DTC) platform to navigate the changing landscape of sports broadcasting.

Soccer Football – Ligue 1 – Paris St Germain v OGC Nice – Parc des Princes, Paris, France – October 1, 2022 Paris St Germain’s Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring their second goal REUTERS/Christian Hartmann

The state of French football, once a powerhouse in European competitions, is hanging in the balance. Ligue 1 and Ligue 2’s inability to attract bids for their broadcasting rights, coupled with the departure of star players and strained relationships with broadcasters, has placed the future of French football in a precarious position. While the road ahead remains uncertain, it is imperative for the French football authorities to explore innovative strategies and seek a revival of the glory days, with the goal of competing on the global stage once again. This is a daunting challenge, but it is essential for preserving the rich legacy of French football.