The dispute between the French Football League (LFP) and its domestic TV rights hold DAZN has escalated after the streaming service claimed €573 million from its partner.
The London-based steaming service is demanding €309 million for “deception on the goods” and €264 million euros for “observed failure”.
It says its operating environment has been made difficult by ongoing piracy and the failure of some clubs to promote the “Ligue 1 product” that it sells to its subscribers.
The dispute has so far led to DAZN to pay just half (€35 million) of the payment due for February. The LFP has, in return, summoned DAZN for summary proceedings before the Paris Commercial Court, the decision being expected on February 28.
This has resulted in the LFP having to draw on its reserve funds to allow clubs to deal with their day-to-day cash flow. The clubs are already under financial pressure because last summer’s agreement with DAZN resulted in a settlement much less than was initially anticipated.
DAZN has paid €400 million for 8 matches per week in the contract that runs until 2029; it has been reported there is a contract break available in December 2025. BeIN Sports’ pays €100 million to broadcast the 5pm Saturday game.
At a summary hearing last week, DAZN reported a figure of 500,000 subscribers to its platform in France, far from the 1.5 million hoped for.
