DAZN’s Ligue 1 deal in jeopardy amid losses

DAZN’s Ligue 1 Struggles

Sports streaming giant DAZN is reportedly seeking to renegotiate its $666 million-per-year agreement with the French Professional Football League (LFP) for Ligue 1 domestic broadcast rights.

The move comes amid disappointing subscriber numbers, with DAZN reportedly attracting only 400,000 customers by November 2024, far short of the 1.5 million needed to secure a return on investment (ROI).

Since the start of the 2024/25 season, DAZN has been airing eight of the nine Ligue 1 matches each matchday, positioning the league as its flagship property in France. Despite promotional efforts, including price cuts, subscriber growth has remained stagnant.

Exit Clauses Looming

DAZN has the option to terminate its contract after two seasons if it fails to meet the 1.5 million subscriber target by December 2025.

Meanwhile, BeIN Sports, which pays $166 million annually for the remaining fixture, also holds an exit clause after three seasons.

BeIN has previously expressed dissatisfaction with its treatment by the LFP, and industry insiders believe it could also walk away if DAZN activates its clause.

Financial Challenges for Ligue 1

The LFP had hoped its current broadcast deals would help reduce the financial disparity between Ligue 1 and Europe’s other top leagues.

However, the contracts with DAZN and BeIN, which run until the 2028/29 season, were signed at the last minute before the 2024/25 campaign and represent a significant drop in revenue compared to previous deals with Amazon Prime Video and Canal+.

Adding to the financial strain, new projections from the LFP’s National Control and Management Directorate (DNCG) estimate that clubs in Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 face combined losses of $2 billion.

This grim outlook is attributed to reduced broadcast revenue and the cessation of funds from private equity firm CVC’s prior investment in French football.

What’s Next for the LFP?

Should DAZN and BeIN terminate their contracts, the LFP could find itself in a precarious position. A direct-to-consumer (DTC) streaming service is one potential solution, but DAZN’s underwhelming subscriber base casts doubt on the feasibility of achieving the LFP’s previous targets of two million subscribers and $962 million in annual revenue.

Long-Term Implications for French Clubs

The ongoing broadcast uncertainty adds to a series of challenges for French clubs, which have already endured the financial fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic and the collapse of the Mediapro deal. For many teams, ensuring financial stability and consistent revenue streams will be the top priority as they navigate an increasingly volatile landscape.

Conclusion

Ligue 1’s broadcast crisis highlights the fragile state of French football’s financial ecosystem.

The LFP’s strained relationships with key partners and its reliance on uncertain broadcast revenues leave both the league and its clubs vulnerable.

If DAZN and BeIN exercise their exit clauses, the LFP will need to act swiftly to stabilise its media rights strategy and secure the long-term future of the competition.

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UEFA and Unilever renew partnership

UEFA has embraced Unilever as an Official Global Partner of the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025, kicking off in Switzerland on July 2 until July 27, 2025.

Unilever’s deal with UEFA builds off of their 2024 partnership and will see a wide array of Unilever’s Foods and Personal Care brands ignite their own integrated advertising campaigns to connect with fans and consumers in and out of the stadium, including household names like Dove, Rexona, Knorr and Hellmann’s.

UEFA marketing director, Guy-Laurent Epstein expressed UEFA’s excitement to work with Unilever again.

“Building on the success of our collaboration last summer, we are delighted to be continuing our partnership with Unilever for UEFA Women’s EURO 2025,” he said in a press release.

The support and interest in women’s football is on a sharp upward trajectory, and with Unilever’s portfolio of Food and Personal Care brands reaching billions of people every day, we look forward to celebrating the power of the game and bringing excitement to fans everywhere.”

General Manager of Unilever Foods Europe, Robbert de Vreede conveyed his enthusiasm for Unilever’s involvement in the upcoming Women’s EURO 2025.

“We are thrilled to partner with the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025, enabling our Foods brands to connect with a large audience who come together enjoying the thrill of a football match with friends whilst sharing delicious foods,” he said in a UEFA press release.

“Just as a great BBQ brings people closer, football unites fans in a shared experience of passion and camaraderie. In this partnership we will create memorable moments that highlight the best of summer – good food, great company, and beautiful games.”

General Manager of Unilever Personal Care Europe, Fulvio Guarneri detailed why the collaboration between UEFA and Unilever was a perfect fit.

“This is an exciting opportunity for some of our biggest brands to tap into a big cultural moment and connect with millions of consumers who will be watching the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025,” he said via press release.

“It’s a great time for women’s football and this partnership fits perfectly with our Personal Care products which are all about feeling clean and confident, and taking part in sports. Together with our retail partners, we look forward to building on the success of last year’s men’s tournament, delivering unmissable campaigns across a variety of channels that celebrate the power of women’s football.”

Unilever joins an exciting list of brands for the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 tournament, including household names such as adidas, Amazon, AXA, Booking.com, EA, Euronics, Grifols, Heineken, Hublot, Just Eat Takeaway.com, Lay’s, Lidl, PlayStation and Visa.

The Club Development Conference highlights community football

Significant Sporting Events Program 2023-24

On Saturday, February 1st, over 200 attendees came together at Valentine Sports Park for the 2025 Football NSW Club Development Conference.

With registrations for the 2025 season still coming in, over 85 Football NSW clubs from both Sydney Metropolitan and regional areas gathered for a dynamic day of workshops, panels, and special guest speakers, celebrating community football.

Presented by Stephanie Brantz, the Conference included keynote addresses from Karen Jones, Acting CEO of Destination NSW and Chief Executive of the NSW Office of Sport, Dr. Catriona Rose of the Australian Sports Commission, and Matildas cap #167, Ellie Brush.

After the successful second edition of the conference, Trevor Huxley, Football NSW’s Program Manager for Club Development, expressed his excitement over the strong support from the community.

“The Club Development Conference is a fantastic opportunity to bring together all levels of the game to learn from one another, network and discuss best practice for grassroots football,” said Huxley via press release.

“It has been inspiring to see grassroots clubs across the state in attendance, illustrating a remarkable commitment to supporting their local communities. It’s vital that Football NSW continues to lead in this space, providing support to the volunteers and local administrators who are central to the ongoing growth of our game.”

Along with the keynote speakers, attendees were able to choose sessions tailored to their Club or role, covering topics such as safeguarding, volunteerism, marketing and data analysis, infrastructure and grant funding, player and spectator behaviour, women & girls’ football, diversity and inclusion, and grassroots coach education.

The Football NSW Club Development Conference serves as a pivotal platform for enhancing community football by Empowering Clubs, Facilitating Networking, Offering Targeted Education and Showcasing Leadership.

By focusing on these areas, the conference plays a crucial role in strengthening community football, promoting inclusivity, and ensuring the sport’s sustainable growth.

To gain further details and access Club resources, click here.

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