Mbappe’s exit slashes League 1 broadcasting rights by half.

The transfer of Mbappe to Real Madrid has halved the broadcasting rights for Ligue 1, causing the LFP to enter into crisis negotiations and impacting clubs.

The broadcasting rights for Ligue 1 have decreased significantly after Kylian Mbappe’s transfer to Real Madrid. 

With the new football season just weeks away, French football authorities are working to secure domestic broadcasting deals in light of this dramatic decline. 

Initially, the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) had hoped to secure €1 billion for the broadcasting rights covering the five-year cycle from 2024 to the end of the 2028-29 season.

However, major players such as Canal Plus, beIN Sport, and DAZN did not submit bids, which led the LFP to enter one-on-one negotiations. 

The current broadcasting deal with Amazon, which expired at the end of last season, was already controversial. 

With no new agreements in place, the LFP is considering launching its own channel, offering all Ligue 1 matches for a monthly fee of €25.

This drastic measure illustrates the extent of the crisis facing the league.

Reports from sports daily L’Équipe suggest that the LFP’s broadcasting rights, initially valued at €1 billion, are now worth only half that amount. 

The current situation mirrors the disastrous 2018 deal with Chinese-backed Mediapro, which failed to deliver and forced the LFP to make a cut-price deal with Amazon, straining relations with Canal+. 

The current broadcasting turmoil is affecting the clubs, with RMC Sport reporting that Ligue 2 champions Auxerre have put a hold on their negotiations to sign a player until there is clarity on TV revenue. 

The departure of Kylian Mbappe, Ligue 1’s marquee player, to Real Madrid has undoubtedly worsened the situation, leaving a void on the pitch and diminishing the league’s appeal to broadcasters.

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