French professional football is currently going through a period of institutional and financial crisis, illustrated by a major conflict between the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) and the DAZN broadcasting platform on domestic television rights. This situation, characterized by palpable tension, generates a prevailing economic fragility for Ligue 1 clubs, whose survival depends largely on these revenues. The LOSC, despite a 2023-2024 season that allowed a return to budgetary balance, is one of the clubs most exposed to this dependence, with TV rights accounting for a significant share of its resources, amounting to €47.1 million, or 40.2% of its turnover excluding transfers.

The extent of this dependence, shared by several other Ligue 1 clubs such as Montpellier, RC Lens and Le Havre AC, underscores the vulnerability of the current system. Clubs that have been able to diversify their sources of income, notably through sponsorship and merchandising, are generally better equipped to cope with fluctuations inherent in television rights. DAZN’s legal proceedings against the LFP before the Paris Commercial Court, claiming compensation of €573 million, demonstrate the seriousness of the divergence between the two parties and the impasse in the negotiations.

In an attempt to defuse this conflict, a mediation period has been put in place, which is coming to an end on Tuesday, 15 April, but has not led to a concrete solution. Several resolution options are under consideration, proposed by both the LFP and DAZN. Faced with the lack of significant progress, a board of directors of the Professional Football League is planned to evaluate the next steps and try to find a solution to this crisis that threatens the financial stability of French football.