French Ligue 1 clubs end DAZN broadcast deal amid financial crisis

Decision to break DAZN contract deepens Ligue 1’s uncertainty as clubs face revenue shortfall.

A DaZn microphone is seen during the Ligue 1 McDonald’s match between Lyon and Lille at Groupama Stadium in Lyon, France, on April 5, 2025. Photo by Daniel Derajinski/Icon Sport

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

French Ligue 1 clubs have voted to terminate the French Ligue 1 DAZN broadcast deal at the end of the current season, plunging the league into a deeper crisis over domestic television rights. The vote, confirmed on Tuesday, follows growing tensions between the French Professional Football League (LFP) and DAZN, the British streaming platform that currently holds the majority of Ligue 1 broadcasting rights.

The collapse of the French Ligue 1 DAZN broadcast deal leaves clubs across the top division facing an uncertain financial future, with no clear replacement in sight for a partnership that was supposed to last until 2029. The split stems from DAZN’s dissatisfaction with the league’s handling of piracy and club cooperation, while clubs argue the broadcaster has not fulfilled its financial obligations.

A fragile arrangement from the start

The deal with DAZN was only finalized in July 2023, mere weeks before the start of the season. It replaced the previous arrangement, which involved Canal Plus and Amazon. Under the contract, DAZN was responsible for broadcasting eight out of nine weekly Ligue 1 matches, while Qatar’s beIN Sports held the rights to one game. The total annual value of the arrangement was 500 million euros ($564 million), significantly lower than the 624 million euros under the earlier deal.

DAZN’s share of that agreement was 400 million euros per season. Though it was a long-term deal slated to run until 2029, the contract included a clause allowing either side to withdraw after the 2024–25 season. Now, just one year into the deal, clubs have chosen to pull the plug even sooner.

Payments delayed and tensions rise

Tensions boiled over after DAZN delayed a 35-million-euro payment due at the beginning of this year. Two more instalments — together worth 140 million euros — are due in April and June. Mediation between DAZN and the LFP began last month but failed to reach a resolution.

In response to the broadcaster’s dissatisfaction, the LFP proposed a financial settlement: 140 million euros to DAZN at the end of the current season and an additional 110 to 125 million euros for next season. According to sources close to the negotiation, DAZN rejected the offer and instead is seeking 573 million euros in compensation for what it considers a breach of contract.

The league, in a public statement, said it still expects DAZN to honor its obligations for the remainder of the season. However, the broadcaster’s rejection of the compensation package and its pursuit of a significantly larger payout indicates a complete breakdown in trust between the two sides.

Accusations and blame

DAZN’s complaints go beyond financial matters. The company blames the LFP for failing to take stronger action against illegal streaming, which it claims has undercut its subscriber base. Currently, DAZN is believed to have only about 500,000 paying subscribers for its Ligue 1 coverage — far short of expectations.

Additionally, DAZN has pointed fingers at certain clubs for not doing enough to help improve the appeal of their broadcasts. Some clubs reportedly denied requests for better access and behind-the-scenes content, which DAZN believes could have boosted fan engagement and subscriptions.

In return, clubs and league officials accuse DAZN of failing to meet its payment schedule and suggest the company has not invested adequately in promoting Ligue 1 as a premium product.

The ghost of Mediapro

The drama surrounding DAZN is a painful echo of the Mediapro disaster that rocked French football just a few years ago. In 2020, Spanish media company Mediapro walked away from a record broadcast deal — worth over 800 million euros a year — only months after it began. That collapse left Ligue 1 scrambling for new partners, eventually settling for a short-term rescue deal involving Canal Plus and Amazon.

The fallout from the Mediapro exit continues to haunt Ligue 1. Many clubs are still recovering financially, with the gap in broadcast revenue forcing teams to slash budgets and rethink long-term planning. Now, with DAZN’s departure, the league is once again left without a stable broadcast partner, and the future looks bleak.

Financial dependence on TV revenue

Television income is the lifeblood of modern football clubs, and nowhere is that more true than in France. Ligue 1 clubs rely heavily on broadcast rights to fund player salaries, infrastructure, and operational costs. With the French Ligue 1 DAZN broadcast deal unraveling, there is now significant concern over where that revenue will come from next season.

Unlike the English Premier League — which enjoys lucrative global TV deals — Ligue 1 has struggled to secure consistent, high-value broadcasting contracts. The domestic deal with DAZN was already below market value compared to other top European leagues. Now that even this agreement has fallen through, French clubs face an uphill battle.

Some clubs have floated the idea of launching their own streaming platform, hoping to bypass broadcasters entirely. But experts warn such a service would come with high upfront costs and offer little immediate financial return. One source close to the league admitted that a self-run streaming service would bring in “very little guaranteed income” during its early years.

Fans left in limbo

As the legal and financial disputes continue, fans are left wondering how they will be able to watch their teams after the current season ends. With no clear broadcaster lined up, and the DAZN deal effectively dead, the accessibility of Ligue 1 matches is up in the air.

This uncertainty could have far-reaching consequences. Reduced visibility might lead to diminished interest and engagement, especially from casual fans or international viewers. That, in turn, could impact merchandising, sponsorship, and other secondary revenue streams that clubs desperately need to survive.

What comes next for Ligue 1?

For now, the LFP and DAZN remain locked in a standoff. With mediation attempts already failed and legal action on the horizon, any swift resolution seems unlikely. Clubs, meanwhile, must prepare for the very real possibility of starting next season without a domestic TV deal in place.

Negotiations with other broadcasters could begin soon, but given the financial collapse of the last two partnerships, potential buyers may approach with caution. The league will need to rebuild trust in its product and demonstrate that it can offer a stable, valuable package — both to fans and business partners.

The collapse of the French Ligue 1 DAZN broadcast deal is more than just a failed contract. It is a symptom of deeper issues within French football — issues of mismanagement, unrealistic financial expectations, and a failure to compete with Europe’s biggest leagues on a commercial level.

Without urgent reform and strategic vision, Ligue 1 risks falling further behind its continental rivals, both on and off the pitch. For the moment, the beautiful game in France is being overshadowed by boardroom battles and broadcast breakdowns.