DAZN have done it again. Just like with Ligue 1, the sport streaming site have pulled out of a deal with a professional football league early. This time, the league that is going to have to deal with the consequences is the Belgian Pro League. It was clear that, over the last few weeks, something was going to happen as the Pro League and DAZN were in disagreements over the future nature of the deal. Now, just a few months after signing a long-term deal with the Belgian Pro League, it looks like the relationship is over.
As reported by HLN, the Pro League is hoping to use the courts to force DAZN to uphold the contract that was signed. However, a lengthy legal battle does little to help the financial situation of many Belgian clubs. The deal represents a significant amount of income for many sides in the Pro League and removing it could put their future in doubt. Belgian football is no stranger to clubs going under and this feels like a situation that could turbo charge the decline of some clubs.
Given that many sides rely on transfer fees and European football to keep things going alongside the TV deal, the situation is quite bleak. The money from DAZN is the only consistent income that some of the clubs could rely on, given that qualification for European football and transfer fees are not consistent in how much they can bring in year on year.
Going forward, the Pro League has a decision to make. It needs to be done quickly as well. If DAZN is able to walk away, broadcasting the league will become their number one priority. But the Belgian Pro League is unlikely to generate the income that DAZN was contracted to spend from other sources. Given that it simply isnโt as popular as other leagues in Europe, it needs to be able to provide a product that is accessible firstly to those in Belgium, while also attracting those outside of Belgium.
DAZNโs decision is likely to cost both the company and the Pro League dearly. Belgian subscribers should be due a refund if they are unable to watch the league for the rest of the season. Clubs will also be concerned with where this is heading and will be putting pressure on the Pro League itself to come up with a quick solution. At the moment, it seems that there will be no Belgian Pro League football broadcast this weekend.
GBeNeFNย |ย Ben Jackson
