DAZN Ordered to Honour Belgian Pro League TV Deal After Attempted Termination
An arbitration ruling by Cepani has ordered DAZN to continue broadcasting and paying for the Belgian Pro League rights until 30 June 2026 unless Cepani states otherwise, with an estimated cost of about €53 million if extended to that date. DAZN must also pay 25% of the Pro League arbitration costs and faces a potential daily fine of €50,000 for non-compliance.
The dispute arose when DAZN withheld its November €6.6 million payment despite continuing to broadcast the league, a move triggered by the lack of a viable distribution deal with Belgian TV operators Proximus and Telenet. DAZN was unable to secure carriage agreements with these operators, resulting in Belgian Pro League games being available only through the DAZN app this season—a distribution model DAZN deems commercially unviable.
DAZN initially won a five-year Belgian rights deal in 2024 worth €84.2 million per season through 2030 but has argued that the contract is unsustainable without broader distribution channels. An arbitration tribunal concerning the contract's viability is set to be constituted in spring, after which Cepani may issue interim measures.
Previously, DAZN terminated its Ligue 1 broadcasting contract in France, agreeing to pay €100 million in compensation. This move contributed to broader shifts in European football TV rights, prompting Ligue 1 to launch its own direct-to-consumer service. In contrast, DAZN has extended its La Liga rights in Spain to 2032 for about €500 million per season, marking a 6% increase.
Lorin Parys, CEO of the Pro League, stated that the ruling confirms DAZN's obligation to honor its commitments relating to production, distribution, payments, and operator negotiations. According to Parys, the definitive beneficiaries of the ruling are the fans and the clubs.
