Lowest TV Rights Deal In 20 Years: How Kylian Mbappe-Less Ligue 1 Is Struggling In 2024-25

France is set to have a record number of participants in the Champions League this season, just as Ligue 1 risks drifting into decline due to a financial crisis overshadowing the beginning of the campaign. Lille's 2-0 win against Slavia Prague in midweek in the first leg of their play-off tie leaves them in a strong position to secure a spot in the Champions League proper going into next Wednesday's return.

If they come through that match in the Czech capital, they will join champions Paris Saint-Germain, Monaco and Brest in the expanded, 36-team version of Europe's elite club competition.

The outfit from northern France do not appear seriously weakened by the loss of coach Paulo Fonseca to AC Milan or the sale of defender Leny Yoro to Manchester United.

But Ligue 1 overall has been left much worse off after only bringing in 500 million euros ($555m) a year for its new domestic broadcast deal, hurriedly signed just before the new season starting.

The new contract, agreed with streaming platform DAZN and Qatari-owned beIN Sports, represents a 20 percent decrease on the previous deal.

According to figures published by sports daily L'Equipe, it is the lowest figure paid in France for domestic broadcast rights in almost two decades.

"Ligue 1 clubs have never received so little from TV," insisted Lens president Joseph Oughourlian, who indicated his club would receive only around nine million euros for the campaign.

The amount is slightly offset by an increase in international rights to around 160 million euros a year, despite the departure of Kylian Mbappe.

Yet the consequences for the league as a whole are already being seen, with few clubs able to spend money on new players in the transfer market.

Even PSG, who have so far