LFP Media urges French government to scrap planned VAT rise on sports broadcasting | OneFootball

L'Équipe reports that LFP Media has warned the government about a draft 2027 finance bill raising VAT on sports broadcasting offers from 10% to 20% from one January, saying it would hit a sector already under strain.

On Tuesday, Olivier Bramly, the chief executive of LFP Media, wrote to Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, Economy Minister Roland Lescure, Public Accounts Minister David Amiel and Sports Minister Marina Ferrari to urge them to drop the measure.

He said the rise would mechanically cut pre-tax revenues for broadcasters and distributors, or, if fully passed on, would significantly increase subscription costs and hurt the attractiveness of offers.

A call for tenders for Ligue 1 rights for 2029-2034 is likely within weeks, and a cabinet meeting on Thursday is due to discuss the issue.

He warned that any deterioration in the broadcast economics could directly or indirectly reduce funding for competitions and clubs, as well as for amateur sport via the Buffet tax, a five percent levy.

He added that Ligue 1+, operated directly by LFP Media since August 2025 in the domestic market, forms part of a strategy to enhance the league’s media rights. A higher tax on Ligue 1+ subscriptions could hamper its growth and limit investment in production, distribution and the subscriber experience.

Beyond the direct model, he said the change would also weigh on the sale of rights to third-party broadcasters and reduce the product’s economic appeal as the market is tested. LFP Media is asking for the measure to be withdrawn, taking into account its impact on operators, rights holders, clubs and consumers.

Source: L'Équipe

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”