beIN Sports settles its first deadline for Ligue 1: a major stake!

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By By Joan

The broadcast landscape of Ligue 1 is undergoing a significant evolution with beIN Sports’ payment of its first installment. This first payment, worth 98.5 million euros annually, marks a turning point in the relationship between the broadcaster and the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP).

The details of the beIN Sports payment

BeIN Sports has indeed settled an amount of approximately 20 million euros, which will be redistributed to the clubs in the coming days. This payment follows a period of tension, during which the broadcaster did not fulfill its initial commitment, raising concerns among Ligue 1 clubs.

Indeed, the payment of this first installment was expected at the beginning of the championship in August. However, complications delayed the process, resulting in a 24% reduction in the amounts paid to clubs on August 30, amounting to nearly 20 million euros lost. This delay was due to a demand from beIN regarding the possibility of co-broadcasting its matches, a clause that was not included in the original contract.

Impact on Ligue 1 clubs

The situation is concerning for the clubs, which depend on these revenues to manage their finances. Jean-Pierre Caillot, president of Stade de Reims and a member of the Ligue 1 board, recently expressed the urgency of resolving this issue. The clubs need money quickly to continue their operations, especially as TV rights have diminished.

According to Caillot, it is imperative for the LFP to quickly reach an agreement with beIN Sports to guarantee the payment of the amounts owed. With the broadcasting of matches already underway, signing the contract becomes paramount to unlocking the necessary funds for optimal management of the football clubs in Ligue 1.

While the broadcaster has not yet settled its second installment due at the beginning of October, the positive signal given by the first payment could provide some relief to the clubs, while waiting for the situation to fully normalize.

Source: www.lequipe.fr