France’s top-flight football is set for a structural transformation with the creation of a new, club-owned commercial body, in a move backed by CVC Capital Partners and the French Football Federation (FFF).

The initiative would replace the current Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) with a Premier League-style structure co-owned by clubs, the FFF, and private equity.

Unveiled by FFF president Philippe Diallo, the plan calls for a fully commercialised entity that would oversee the organisation, media rights, and marketing of France’s professional football competitions. “This would be a French version of the Premier League – a club-owned company with paid executives running the league,” said Diallo, describing the proposal as both “innovative and disruptive.”

The LFP’s commercial activities had already been shifted to a subsidiary, LFP Media, following CVC’s €1.5bn investment in 2022, which gave the private equity firm a 13% stake and a share of future broadcasting revenues. The latest restructuring would consolidate full control under the new entity while preserving the FFF’s oversight through regulatory safeguards and veto power on competition changes.

Legislative approval is required for the plan to proceed, with a bill scheduled for review by the French Senate on 10 June. If passed, the new framework would aim to enhance transparency, improve financial stability, and provide France’s clubs with the commercial autonomy needed to compete with larger European leagues.

“This aims to lay the foundation for a rebound of our professional clubs within a more efficient and transparent framework,” Diallo said, underscoring the long-term ambition to position Ligue 1 on a more competitive commercial footing.

Source: Reuters

If you think we missed any important news, please do not hesitate to contact us at news@pe-insights.com. 

Can`t stop reading? Read more.