The champagne will stay cool. Just like the hope of reaching one billion euros. No surprise outsider will finally come to blow on the embers to set TV rights for French football on fire.
At the headquarters of the Clifford Chance law firm, in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, where the Professional Football League (LFP) has established its base camp, the time is not really for euphoria. Tuesday morning, the allocation of broadcasting rights for Ligue 1 matches for the next five seasons was unsuccessful. “After having received several qualitative offers and financial guarantee schemes for all lots 1 to 5, LFP Media indicates that none of the five lots has been awarded today, in accordance with the provisions of the Ligue 1 call for applications “, indicated the body in a laconic press release.
After evaluation of their file, the candidates selected as part of the call for tenders were informed on Tuesday around 9:30 a.m. that they could participate in the auction. The sales process was scheduled to start at 10 a.m. sharp. The starting stake was set at 530 million euros for lot 1, containing the two most beautiful Ligue 1 posters and the No. 4 choice of each day, and at 270 million euros for lot 2 which includes the other six matches. Beyond the 800 million euros expected for these two main lots, three other lots, relating to magazines, were up for grabs for a total of 25 million euros.
This unsuccessful call for tenders constitutes a first disavowal for the League. The question asked to broadcasters through this auction process was simple: do you think the French football championship is worth more than 800 million euros? Since the reserve prices set by the LFP have not been reached, the answer is clearly no.
The football rights match will therefore go into overtime. Over-the-counter negotiations between the LFP and interested media will now begin, and could last several weeks. Among the potential candidates, Prime Video, beIN Sports, the sports streaming platform DAZN and even Apple. And why not Canal.
