Un match de Ligue 1 en clair au cœur des débats
The Assemblée nationale is set to deliberate this Monday on a legislative proposal aimed at restructuring professional football. A central point of the discussion is a specific amendment that suggests broadcasting one Ligue 1 match for free during every round of the championship. This initiative surfaces at a time when fans must currently navigate the Ligue1+ platform, with subscriptions starting at 15 euros per month.
Broadening access to the championship
The legislators behind this proposal argue that the proliferation of paid subscriptions and multiple broadcasters is alienating the public and fueling the rise of digital piracy. They contend that dedicating a specific slot for a free weekly match would significantly boost the visibility of the French top flight. This reasoning draws on the 2021 findings of a mission led by Cédric Roussel regarding the broadcasting rights of sporting events.
Sports economist Pierre Rondeau also supports the idea that free access could capture a much larger audience. He highlights a stark contrast in figures: while the LFP previously estimated that 22 million people in France are interested in Ligue 1, only about one million are currently subscribed to Ligue1+.
The LFP stands firm against the change
The LFP, however, remains staunchly opposed to the amendment. The governing body fears that providing matches for free would inevitably lower the market value of audiovisual rights, which currently represent more than half of the total revenue for professional clubs. Intense negotiations between the league, broadcasters, and parliamentarians have taken place ahead of the floor debate.
A comprehensive reform for professional football
Having already cleared the Senate and the relevant parliamentary committee, this bill is expected to undergo further refinements during the plenary session before a joint committee meeting scheduled for July 21. Beyond broadcasting, the text addresses several critical areas: the fight against piracy, strengthening the oversight of the Sports Ministry and federations in league governance, the redistribution of media revenues, and the introduction of salary caps for top executives.