Since its launch in France, DAZN has struggled to attract spectators. According to rumors, the broadcaster has not exceeded 500,000 subscribers since August. A delicate situation that Vincent Labrune evokes in an interview with Le Parisien, while denouncing the impact of piracy. For the president of the LFP, “out of three people who watch Ligue 1, only one currently pays. It’s extremely serious. We need radical decisions. » An exit which reflects the difficulties of a model that is still fragile in France.
Labrune faces the challenges of Ligue 1
The observation is clear: DAZN has not achieved the expected objectives. Labrune, although loyal to his new partner, points the finger at an initially ill-adjusted pricing policy and an explosion in piracy. “We all learn as we walk”he nevertheless tempers, affirming his support for DAZN. Furthermore, it highlights efforts to strengthen the international attractiveness of Ligue 1, as illustrated by the doubling of television rights abroad, from 70 to 140 million euros.
Labrune reveals the underside of the DAZN failure
Despite everything, Labrune remains realistic. Comparing France to Germany or Spain, he emphasizes that the French market suffers from a lack of interest in television subscriptions. “
Ligue 1 has never been worth a billion euros »he confides, while insisting on the need to target foreign markets to ensure the financial future of the championship.
A salary that is still debated
Another sensitive point of the interview: Labrune’s salary. Increased from 420,000 to 800,000 euros gross per year, with a bonus of 3 million euros linked to the agreement with CVC, this remuneration has attracted criticism. “It’s a lot of money, but it’s worth the stakes,” he defends, recalling that this agreement saved French football. A justification which nevertheless leaves a bitter taste among certain observers.
Between national challenges and international ambitions, Vincent Labrune seeks to restore the image of Ligue 1. But the road still seems long to conquer the hearts of fans and broadcasters.
