There was no miracle yesterday in the results of the LFP’s re-launch of TV rights. Four candidates have declared themselves to take over from Mediapro. According to L’Equipe, Amazon and Discovery bid on L1, while DAZN applied on L1 and L2. None of the three put in sufficient amounts to pocket the bet as Jean-Michel Roussier, the editorial director of Téléfoot, introduced himself on his own behalf but was not convinced.
Today, the LFP is therefore starting from zero or almost with probably three options. It can very quickly re-launch a call for tenders for the entire L1 including lot 3, can also decide to deal directly by mutual agreement with the three participants from yesterday … or to choose to do so with Canal +, who may ultimately be satisfied with this path, which is less uncertain than a new consultation.
Amazon thwarts Canal + plans
One basis could be the oral offer already formulated by the leaders of the encrypted channel: € 590 million per year, plus € 100 million variable depending on the number of subscribers gained for all the rights of the L1. Whatever happens, it will take to move quickly not to bring down French football, bloodless since the start of the health crisis. In addition, Canal + has every interest in acting quickly because the LFP still has a good card in hand. Indeed, Vincent Bolloré still does not know the amount emitted by Amazon and the nature of the intrusion of the American e-commerce giant, the only candidate who could potentially, in his eyes, thwart his plans.
Aulas, avenger unmasked?
“Maxime Saada could take advantage of a League solicitation, or even signalize himself to it, and seize the opportunity to negotiate the best matches today, at a favorable price for his group. A hypothesis that would not be ruled out, ”observes the sports daily. The latter recalls that two dates could speed up the process: Friday, February 5, the date scheduled for the payment of the new deadline for his two Ligue 1 matches (€ 56.4 million excluding tax) that, for the time being, Canal + does not want not honor.
And on Sunday February 7, where the Classic between OM and PSG is to be played. At the same time, all this imbroglio could find in Jean-Michel Aulas a beneficial intermediary. “I have a feeling that on tenders … we risk talking about Aulas, rather positively. This gentleman is a real politician, ”insisted Mohamed Toubache-Ter enigmatically on Twitter. To confirm.
I have a feeling that in calls for tenders … we risk talking about Aulas, rather positively.
To be confirmed 🤷♂️ #TV Rights
– Mohamed TOUBACHE-TER (@MohamedTERParis) February 1, 2021