March 18 – France’s top divisions, Ligue 1 and Ligue 2, have united in a campaign against piracy, urging fans to support their clubs by subscribing to official broadcast partners.
All Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 clubs shared a message across their social media platforms, with Olympique Lyonnais (OL) posting on X: “Subscribing to a legal offer helps OL win. Supporting official broadcasters is vital for OL’s future. For our aspiring players, coaches, champions, and the love of the game, let’s end piracy together.”
Last month Ligue 1’s domestic broadcaster, DAZN, initiated legal action against the French Professional League (LFP), seeking €573million in compensation. The streaming giant claimed €309m for ‘market dishonesty,’ alleging the LFP had not adequately addressed, and decided to withhold €35m.
DAZN has been displeased with the poor subscription rate to its Ligue 1 package, with only 500,000 users – well below the break-even figure, which is understood to be around 1.5 million.
The dispute was resolved by the end of February, with DAZN settling and paying the outstanding €35m for February’s Ligue 1 broadcast rights. The settlement temporarily brought to a close another broadcast crisis in French football.
“We have to look forward because we, the clubs, fans and more globally, lovers of French football, have a common interest in DAZN performing well and gaining more followers,” said LFP president Vincent Labrune at the time.
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