It's official since Monday: LFP Media has retained Mediawan Sport, a subsidiary of the media giant, to ensure the entire editorial production of the future “Ligue 1 McDonald's” platform, which will be launched on August 15. A strong choice, presented as the reflection of a
“Strong editorial ambition”. However, behind the reassuring speech, this partnership already arouses serious questions. Between an almost zero experience in the production of live football, legal affairs and a social climate described as tense, the new partner of Ligue 1 seems to drag some “pots” which could place it in the turmoil even before the kick -off.
A prestigious name, but a virgin football record
The first reason for worry is inexperience. Mediawan Sport is a very recent entity, launched in September 2024, and has never managed the live production of a Ligue 1 or Champions League match. Faced with a logistical juggernaut such as the production of eight games per championship day, this lack of specific know-how constitutes a daring bet on the part of the LFP, which preferred this option to more experienced candidates in the matter like 21 production (producer of the French Cup).
Production Ligue 1: A storm called Mediawan?
A sword of Damocles judicial on the boss of Mediawan
Even more worrying, a legal threat hangs over the group's head. As revealed The platform In January 2024, the Financial Markets Authority (AMF) requested a fine of € 110,000 against the founder of Mediawan, Pierre-Antoine Capton, for a hint of initiate offense. The final decision of the Sanctions Commission is expected in 2025. A real sword of Damocles which could seriously taint the “ethical” image of the official producer of Ligue 1 in the midst of season.
An internal social climate that worries
To these doubts is added an internal social climate described as difficult. According to a survey of The informed Last June, several employees of Mediawan Prod denounce a “brutality of management” and “reorganizations with forced march”. Tensions would also have broken out within the third eye, a group of the group led by the former Journalist of RMC Mohamed Bouhafsi. These internal alerts raise the question of the social stability of the company at the dawn of a challenge as colossal as the production of Ligue 1, and make fear of possible social movements.
The bet of the LFP: the business before the experience?
So why this risky choice? The LFP seems to have been seduced by a competitive budget and the promise of an “all-in-one” solution (Mediawan manages the 4 production batches). Mediawan's partnership with LeBron James, Springhill, was also able to weigh in the scale, making development and international sponsors are shining. A bet on business and potential, rather than proven experience.
A double challenge for a birth chain
In conclusion, the LFP has not only bet on a price, but on a producer certainly powerful, but brand new in this sector and already under the fire of several judicial and social controversies. If Mediawan Sport takes up this double challenge brilliantly, the league bet will be considered visionary. Otherwise, the new 100% Ligue 1 channel could know its first major hiccup … even before the start of August 15.
