The head of DAZN France, Brice Daumin, has responded to the legal action taken by the Professional Football League (LFP) regarding Ligue 1’s domestic broadcasting rights. In an interview with Le Figaro, Daumin expressed his disappointment with the LFP’s decision to resort to legal means to compel DAZN to pay the full amount for TV rights. DAZN had previously paid only €35 million to Ligue 1 clubs in February, half of the expected €70 million, withholding the remaining €35 million.
DAZN has several grievances against the LFP. The broadcaster believes that the LFP overestimated the number of subscribers DAZN would acquire. Reports indicate that DAZN has gained only 500,000 new subscribers in France since securing the majority of Ligue 1’s domestic TV rights. Furthermore, DAZN is reportedly unhappy with Ligue 1 clubs for not providing sufficient editorial content to support the broadcaster. DAZN is also frustrated with the LFP’s perceived lack of progress in combating piracy.
Daumin stated, “They are not doing enough.” He criticized the French Audiovisual and Digital Communication Regulatory Authority (Arcom) for its limited action against piracy, noting its lack of weekend work. He contrasted this with Italy, where he claims 18,000 piracy links can be blocked in two days, while Arcom manages only 5,000 per year. Daumin emphasized the need for more resources to address piracy effectively, using an analogy: “When you buy a pan, you don’t expect to get a colander.”