The contract between Olympique Lyonnais (OL) and the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) regarding the partnership with beIN Sports has sparked intense controversy. The current situation highlights the tensions surrounding broadcasting rights and the financial stakes for Ligue 1 clubs. We offer you an in-depth analysis of the facts.
Context of the partnership between the LFP and beIN Sports
The terms of the agreement established between the LFP and the broadcaster beIN Sports provide for an annual amount of 80 million euros for audiovisual rights, as well as sponsorship worth 20 million euros. However, this partnership has become problematic due to the non-payment of the first installment by beIN Sports. This situation has led to a decrease of 24% in the amounts distributed to Ligue 1 clubs, resulting in significant losses for them.
The reaction of Olympique Lyonnais
In the face of this difficult situation, OL has decided to take the initiative. The club sent a letter to Vincent Labrune, president of the LFP, expressing its dissatisfaction regarding the management of the contract with beIN Sports. OL highlights the “incompetence” of the LFP regarding the commercialization of marketing rights related to the clubs. In this letter, OL also emphasizes the growing economic difficulties faced by the clubs, exacerbated by the non-payment of the sums owed by the broadcaster.
This initiative aims to urge the LFP to act quickly to recover the missing funds. The Lyon club makes clear demands regarding the recovery of the amounts owed by beIN Sports, while calling for a thorough reflection on the signed partnership.
The irregularities pointed out by OL
Olympique Lyonnais also contests the terms of the agreement in question. It denounces an unexpected marketing component and explains that the Board of Directors of the LFP agreed to a “Sponsorship Deal” with beIN Sports, which imposes unclear conditions on the clubs. Each Ligue 1 team must provide a marketing inventory, valued at 738,000 euros, in order to benefit from audiovisual rights. This sponsorship amount, totaling 20 million euros, is considered separate from the rules governing the distribution of television rights, raising serious questions.
As a result, OL challenges the LFP’s decision and raises several legal points: the LFP’s ability to decide on marketing inventories, the failure to comply with procedures, as well as distribution and competition rules. The club concludes by stating that the established partnership does not respect its rights and thus considers itself null and void.
Conclusion
The situation between OL, the LFP, and beIN Sports highlights the growing tensions surrounding broadcasting rights and the financial implications for Ligue 1 clubs. This dispute could have significant consequences on the dynamics of the partnership and on the management of audiovisual rights in French football.
Source: www.lequipe.fr