The French Ligue de Football Professionnel will "still take some time" before signing a new Ligue 1 TV partner to replace Mediapro, although the new broadcaster "will undoubtedly be Canal+." LFP President Vincent Labrune "doesn't want to rush things" and sign an "unfavorable deal" that would tie up French soccer for more than three seasons. And Canal+, "already seen as the likely replacement, has shown no signs of being rushed." The net already airs two Ligue 1 matches per round, worth €330M ($405M) per year, under its current deal which runs through the '23-24 season. Canal+ last month "made a verbal offer" of €590M ($724M) a year, plus an additional €100M ($123M) "conditional on the number of subscriptions gained," to take over the full package of Ligue 1 rights.
A source said that talks between Canal+ and the LFP "should not be expected to advance 'before the second part of January, and maybe even into Febuary.'" Marseille-PSG, the biggest matchup on the Ligue 1 calendar, on Feb. 7, "could be the match that changes things" (L'EQUIPE 1/7). Mediapro will continue to air Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 matches in France "until at least Jan. 20" as the LFP tries to sign a deal with Canal+ (L'EQUIPE, 1/6).
