Cyril Linette Outlines His Vision for the Future of Football Leadership at LFP

2024-09-07 16:00:00

Although everything seems to oppose them, the outgoing president, like the challenger Cyril Linette, are nevertheless confident of emerging victorious from this election.

From the League Cup to TV rights and the ideal business model, the former general director of L’Équipe lays bare his vision for a revival of French football.

You almost didn’t take part, are you confident about the LFP presidential elections?

When you run, you do it to win. I think I am carrying the only possible project for French football. There is the cyclical crisis of TV rights, in which clubs have lost 60% of their income in this sector, but beyond that, there is also a structural crisis. The model must change, because it is based on two forces that challenge each other. On the one hand, there are no more broadcasters to put millions in because football would be vital, this “Canal” era is over. And on the other hand, if global TV rights drop, then transfers will be less important for our clubs. French football must therefore reduce its costs and find other sources of income. That is why I think I will win, because this discourse is not shared in the other camp. Moreover, we do not even know if there is the slightest beginning of a project.

What are your priority projects for the financial model of French football?

There are things to create on cost control, without preventing European qualifiers from competing. Some clubs have a payroll that exceeds their operating income. We can already say that this is no longer possible. We can lower this ratio over the next few years, to 90%, then to 80%. The objective in 3-4 years is to have a payroll that does not exceed 70% of the clubs’ income. This is the basis, and today, this is not the case. Afterwards, yes there are cuts to be made, but we must be balanced, which I think we are. And have a development plan alongside it, to create value.

“Doing without Canal + is the biggest mistake”

Precisely, wouldn’t the “Ligue 1” product be overrated? Does it have that much value?

It may be a little overrated in the minds of the presidents from a financial point of view, but I don’t think it’s overrated in the hearts of the supporters. In the League or in the clubs, we sometimes think we’re at the level of Italy or the big European clubs. Of course not. The real question is the valuation of the championship, because people always want to follow their club. The supporters don’t necessarily ask for results, but rather for emotion.

What is your position on current TV rights?

The issue of Ligue 2 TV rights on BeIn Sports is very annoying, we should find common ground by taming the anger of the supporters because if BeIn drops Ligue 2, it would be a disaster. In addition, the price of the DAZN subscription for Ligue 1 is of course out of step with the market. For me, the right price would be around €20 with the possibility of dividing the subscriptions according to the number of matches, like an NBA Pass. Doing without Canal + is also the biggest mistake in French football in recent years. I do not promise that the channel will broadcast Ligue 1 again if I become president, but Canal will not broadcast if the situation remains the same.

“1.2 million euros salary for Labrune is too much”

What kind of president would you be?
Vincent Labrune has his own management style. I would probably be more managerial than political. When you see his salary (€1.2 million per year), you obviously think that it is too much for a public service delegation. It should also be calculated on a variable basis. If the objectives are not met, like this season, it should be reflected in the salary.

You advocate more understanding of supporters than the current LFP leaders, how do you handle this thorny issue?

I think that we need to be tolerant of their general behaviour. I’m talking about pyrotechnics, where we need to find a solution with the community of supporters. The question that the League should ask itself is: “Is this good for the championship?”, we can ask ourselves this if we close a stand for a big match… On the other hand, we need to remain uncompromising on possible racist or homophobic excesses or excesses, which are not part of the “folklore” of football. The supporters must be a daily interlocutor with the League for greater understanding.

“Jean-Pierre Rivère finds me relevant”

How could the return of the League Cup be beneficial?

It is important to create competitions without the big ones. Intermediate clubs have the right to win titles. UEFA did it with the Europa League. When OM went to the final in 2018, we didn’t turn our noses up at it because it was a “sub-cup”. But obviously, the League Cup is not going to transform French football financially, there are no €20 million in TV rights to be had from it.

How did the management of OGC Nice and AS Monaco welcome your application?
Very pleasant. I had two long discussions with Jean-Pierre Rivère, the last one this week. He finds me very relevant and combative. This does not predict the outcome of the vote. There is also INEOS to take into account, I think their decision will be made at their level, even if the president has his say. I also had Thiago Scuro on the Monaco side, I hope to be able to speak with him again before the election.

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Tableau Division football

The Future of French Football: A Path ‌to Revival

The French football league system, also known as the French football pyramid, is a‍ series of interconnected leagues ⁢for club football ⁤in France and Monaco . ‌At the helm of this system is the Ligue‍ de Football Professionnel (LFP), a French ‌governing body that runs the major professional football leagues in France and Monaco . Currently, the French football industry is facing a crisis, with TV rights and the ideal business model being two of the‍ most pressing issues.

Cyril Linette, the former general director of L’Équipe, is one of the ‌candidates vying for⁣ the presidency of the LFP. In a recent interview, he laid​ bare his vision⁢ for a revival of ‌French football, citing the‍ need for a change in the current financial model. According to Linette, the cyclical crisis ‌of TV rights and the structural crisis ⁣in the industry must be addressed to ensure the long-term sustainability of French football.

TV Rights and the Financial Model

The current TV rights deal in⁤ French ‌football is a major ‌point of contention. Linette believes that the price of the DAZN subscription for Ligue 1 is out of step with the market, and that a more reasonable price would be around €20 with the possibility of dividing the subscriptions ‍according to the number of matches, like an NBA Pass. He also lamented the​ loss of​ Canal +, which he believes was a mistake for French football.

Moreover, Linette emphasized the need for cost control measures to‌ ensure that clubs’ payrolls do not exceed their operating income. He proposed a ratio of 70% of clubs’ income to ⁣be allocated to ⁤payrolls, with a development plan ⁢to create value alongside it.

The League Cup and its Potential

Linette also discussed the potential benefits of reviving the League Cup, which he believes ​could provide an opportunity for intermediate clubs to​ win titles. He cited the example of UEFA’s Europa League, which has been ⁣successful ‍in providing a platform for smaller​ clubs ‌to compete. ⁢While he acknowledged that the League Cup would not generate significant TV rights revenue, he believes it could still ‍be beneficial for French ⁢football.

Supporter Engagement and Understanding

Another crucial aspect of Linette’s vision for French football is supporter engagement and understanding. He advocates for a more tolerant approach to supporters’ behavior, while remaining uncompromising on racist or homophobic excesses. He believes that supporters ⁢must be a daily interlocutor with the League to ensure greater understanding and a more positive atmosphere in stadiums.

Conclusion

The future of French football is uncertain, but with a clear vision and a commitment to addressing the pressing issues in the industry, there is hope for a⁢ revival. Cyril Linette’s proposals for a change in⁢ the financial model, a⁢ more reasonable TV rights deal, and a greater understanding of supporter behavior ‍are just a few of the steps that can be taken to ensure the long-term sustainability ‍of ‌French football.

References:

⁣ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frenchfootballleaguesystem

https://www.sportbusiness.com/organisation/french-football-league-lfp/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LiguedeFootballProfessionnel

LFP Ligue 1

The Future of French Football: LFP and Beyond

As the LFP (Ligue de Football Professionnel) presidential elections approach, candidates are sharing their vision for the future of French football. Cyril Linette, the former general director of L’Équipe, is one of the contenders vying for the top spot. In a recent interview, he shared his thoughts on the current state of French football, the LFP, and his plans for reviving the sport.

A New Era for French Football

Linette believes that French football is facing both cyclical and structural crises. The decline of TV rights, which has resulted in clubs losing 60% of their income, is a significant challenge. However, he also notes that the current business model is flawed, relying on two opposing forces: broadcasters and clubs. To address this, Linette proposes reducing costs and finding alternative sources of income.

Financial Model and Cost Control

Linette’s priority projects for the financial model of French football include implementing cost control measures without hindering European qualifiers’ competitiveness. He aims to lower the payroll-to-income ratio from 100% to 70% within three to four years. This, he believes, will create a more sustainable and balanced financial environment.

TV Rights and the Ligue 1 Product

Linette believes that the Ligue 1 product may be overvalued from a financial perspective, but it still holds significant emotional value for supporters. He notes that the real question is the championship’s valuation, as fans want to follow their clubs without necessarily expecting top-notch results. Regarding TV rights, Linette thinks that the current situation is problematic, particularly with Ligue 2’s rights on BeIn Sports. He suggests finding a middle ground to avoid a disastrous outcome. Additionally, he believes that the DAZN subscription price for Ligue 1 is too high and proposes a more competitive pricing model.

Canal + and the Biggest Mistake

Linette considers doing without Canal + to be the biggest mistake in French football in recent years. He attributes this to the loss of a vital broadcast partner and the subsequent decline of TV rights. While he doesn’t promise to bring Canal + back if elected, he believes that the situation must change.

Leadership Style and Salary

Linette envisions himself as a more managerial president, unlike his opponent Vincent Labrune, who has a political management style. He also criticizes Labrune’s €1.2 million annual salary, deeming it too high for a public service delegation.

What’s Next for French Football?

As the election approaches, Linette’s vision for French football is clear: cost control, sustainable financial models, and a revamped TV rights system. Will his managerial approach and emphasis on financial responsibility resonate with French football fans and clubs? Only time will tell.

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