Jupiler Pro League: Belgian League to pay €14m to Proximus, Telenet & VOO for 2019-20 (press)

The Pro League must repay €14m to the broadcasters of the Jupiler Pro League for the 2019-20 season, after the Belgian top flight was brought to a premature halt due to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to several Belgian media reports on 26/07/2023.

During the 2017-2020 cycle, the broadcasting rights to the Jupiler Pro League were held by the Belgian private broadcasting group Proximus TV (French-speaking) and Belgian private broadcasting groups Telenet (Dutch-speaking) and VOO (French-speaking). The annual value of the rights was €80m.

The 2019-20 Jupiler Pro League season came to an end after Matchday 29, on 07/03/2023. The end of the Belgian championship and the playoffs were therefore not played. The broadcasters then asked the League for compensation.

Negotiations for €7m in compensation began, but were ultimately rejected by the clubs. This led to the involvement of the Belgian Centre for Arbitration and Mediation (CEPANI). A vote by the clubs on compensation for the broadcasters eventually took place in June 2023, resulting in a reimbursement of €14m for Telenet, Proximus and…