Clubs, CVC and FFF jostle in LFP Media succession after Nicolas de Tavernost | OneFootball

LFP Media’s supervisory committee will meet on Monday evening to set the process for replacing Nicolas de Tavernost, with an influence battle already under way between clubs, the Ligue, CVC and the FFF.

According to L'Équipe, De Tavernost, 75, will handle the transition. He has said he is available to help prepare the relaunch and the new Ligue 1+ season with staff, and will leave once a successor is appointed. He has no timetable, suggesting it could be in 15 days or it might take two months.

As he told the board on Thursday, he has given up his automatic end-of-season bonus worth 500,000 euros. LFP Media must also replace senior media director Martin Aurenche, who is leaving at the end of the month after overseeing the sale and purchase of rights.

The supervisory committee includes three LFP representatives, Labrune, director general Arnaud Rouger and finance chief Sébastien Cazali, plus two CVC executives. CVC has invested 1.5 billion in French professional football, taking a 13% stake.

CVC chose the last two LFP Media chief executives, Benjamin Morel then De Tavernost, but the fund may not hold the same sway this time. Many clubs, and at times LFP leaders, had complained about De Tavernost’s strong independence and want more say. The FFF is also watching the process closely.

No candidate has been approached yet and the profile will hinge on governance. If the Senate-backed reform, which would replace the LFP with a “société de clubs”, reaches the National Assembly in spring, a heavyweight able to represent all professional football will be needed. If it is delayed or shelved, a strong business operator should suffice.

Source: L'Équipe