Emmanuel Eschalier, the general director of the National Rugby League (LNR), spoke this Wednesday on the upcoming marketing of TV rights for French rugby and its two championships, the Top 14 and the Pro D2 concerning the period 2027-2031. A file open since October which will lead to a call for tenders soon, in spring 2024. “It is a usual strategy to anticipate. In 2016 we sold the rights for the period 2019-2023 and in 2021 we launched the call for tenders for that of 2023-2027. We anticipate to have medium and long term visibility on the income and exposure of our championships,” explained the manager, particularly confident about the favorable context of this renegotiation.
“It is very positive at all levels, in terms of media interest, attendance in the stadiums and enthusiasm of the public in general. French rugby is doing well on a sporting level both at the level of club rugby and the French team,” assured Emmanuel Eschalier who, however, remains discreet about future candidates for the purchase of rights. “I think all broadcasters are likely to be interested in the Top 14 and Pro D2 given the impact of these two championships. We will see who is interested in submitting a file and an offer…”, he added.
The National Rugby League aims to increase the current contract in the hands of Canal: 121.6 million euros per season (113.6 million for the Top 14 and 8 million for the Pro D2). According to information from Midi Olympique, the LNR is counting on more than €140 million annually, an increase of around 15%. “This is the principle of a call for tenders, especially when you have a competition that is doing as well as the Top 14. We have to be ambitious. We want to continue to progress as we have done over the last fifteen years,” says the CEO of the body that manages professional rugby.
If it wishes to retain its label as a historic broadcaster of the Top 14, the encrypted channel will perhaps have to loosen its purse strings a little more. Is there a risk that the rights will switch to another channel? “I will not answer this question nor will I make any comments until the call for tenders has been launched,” concluded Emmanuel Eschalier.