Unsurprisingly, Mediapro did not meet the second deadline for the purchase of the broadcasting rights for French Leagues 1 and 2.
After failing on October 5, the Sino-Spanish group now has a debt of 325 million euros. A sum that weighs heavily in the balance of accounts of professional clubs, become ultra-dependent on the television financial windfall.
But if the money does not return to the coffers of the LFP, Mediapro continues to broadcast the matches on its Téléfoot channel. ” Despite everything, Mediapro has a contract with the LFP », Recalled Christophe Lepetit, head of economic studies at the Center for Law and Economics of Sport (CDES), Thursday morning, on the airwaves of Europe 1.
In the current state of the matter, the League is stuck. Stuck by the legal actions initiated by Canal + against Mediapro, and that of Mediapro against Canal +. Stuck by the Nanterre court’s attempt at conciliation.
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A lost bet
This attempt was to attempt to bring the complainants together and find common ground. Everyone has remained in their positions. The LFP is caught between the hammer of its old historic broadcaster and the anvil of the one who took over but believes he has been cheated on the quality of the product.
The LFP hoped to be able to break the contract. The current procedures prevent this. De facto weakening the clubs which, in addition to being deprived of public, do not see coming the money promised by Mediapro.
The group led by Jaume Roures has made an economic bet by winning the largest prize, with an annual amount of 850 million euros, placed on the market. With the idea of outsourcing part of it. Except he couldn’t find anyone to associate with.
The arguments put forward by Mediapro to explain its refusal to honor its drafts are the health crisis which ” distorts the product foot », And not the low number of subscribers to its Téléfoot channel (estimated at 500,000). ” It is obvious that the Covid-19 epidemic has degraded the general quality of football … Despite everything, unlike the end of the 2019-2020 season, the matches are being played. So the services listed in the contract are provided by the LFP. We cannot therefore really access this argument of Mediapro », Considers Christophe Lepetit.
Pending the outcome of the various procedures, negotiations are taking place behind the scenes. With Canal + at the maneuver, towards which the LFP turns around like a castaway clinging to a buoy.
Canal + which seems ready to accept the outstretched hand. But on his terms. This means a reduced amount, far from what Mediapro has promised. With the key an association with BeIn Sport.
In this story, it is the clubs that will drink. If for PSG, Lyon, OM or Nice, the injury should not be fatal, for the most modest, already weakened by the health crisis, it could however be fatal. And destabilize the football industry.
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