Ligue 1 Faces Financial Turmoil as DAZN Withholds Payment Over Dispute

The French football league and its primary broadcaster DAZN are locked in a legal battle over contract terms, threatening the stability of the league's finances.

DAZN, Ligue 1's primary broadcaster, has withheld half of its fourth payment installment, citing unmet subscription targets and operational challenges.
The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) has filed an emergency legal motion to secure the payment, with a court hearing set for Friday.
DAZN attributes its financial struggles to widespread piracy and limited support from clubs for creating immersive content, impacting its ability to attract subscribers.
The current broadcasting deal, worth €500 million annually, is significantly lower than contracts for other top European leagues, highlighting Ligue 1's weaker market position.
The dispute raises concerns for smaller French clubs reliant on TV revenues, while larger clubs with international income streams remain less affected.