LFP TV rights: Court of Nanterre's decision regarding the beIN Sports - Canal+ dispute on 05/08/2021

The Commercial Court of Nanterre will render a decision on Thursday 05/08/2021 in the dispute between the pay-TV group beIN Sports France and the pay-TV group Canal+ regarding the sub-licensing contract for Lot 3 of the Ligue 1 Uber Eats TV rights for the 2020-2024 cycle. The 05/08/2021 is also the date of the first payment due (€55m) to the LFP under the €332m per year contract for the rights to two Ligue 1 Uber Eats games per matchday (Saturdays at 21:00 and Sundays at 17:00 CET). The LFP's lawyers have joined those of beIN Sports in this case.

Canal+ wanted to terminate its sub-licensing agreement with beIN Sports on 28/07/2021, but the Commercial Court of Nanterre ruled against it the following day. The same court had ruled in summary proceedings on 23/07/2021 that Canal+ could suspend its contract with beIN Sports, if the Qatari group did not sue the LFP to challenge the original contract. "We take note of the interim ruling of the Nanterre Commercial Court, which compels us to take legal action against the League in order to force Canal+ to comply with its contract," said a…