October 18 – France’s Professional Football League (LFP) announced Tuesday that it had not received offers meeting the reserve prices for its domestic broadcast rights packages covering the 2024-2029 period.
The LFP said it will now approach prospective media partners for direct negotiations, at the same time saying that it is postponing the Ligue 2 rights tender process that was originally set to be issued later this week.
The LFP is also awaiting results from an international rights tendering process that closes November 2.
In September, the league set a target of €1 billion from a combination of domestic and international rights, under the stewardship of LFP chief Vincent Labrune.
Domestic rights revolved around five lots, with a primary focus on two lots spanning live match broadcasts rights.
The reserve prices were set at €530 million for the ‘premium’ lot (which includes the two best matches and the 4th choice in co-broadcast) and €270 million for the ‘volume’ lot (comprising the remaining matches).
Qualitative offers were submitted by DAZN and beIN Sports. Canal +, a long term supporter of the league, had already indicated it would not be bidding. Bids included detail on editorial coverage, promotion, marketing, and anti-piracy measures, alongside their financial guarantees.
Speculation in France suggests Canal+ could now return to the rights negotiation.
The League will engage in direct negotiations with interested parties, even those who didn’t submit a qualitative proposal on Monday, such as Canal +. Furthermore, the LFP has opted to delay the call for tenders for Ligue 2 rights. This was initially set for Thursday, October 19, and Friday, October 20.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1735582698labto1735582698ofdlr1735582698owedi1735582698sni@g1735582698niwe.1735582698yrrah1735582698