TV rights as an annual drama in women's football. Liga F once again resolved the issue at the last minute

Difficulties with the sale of broadcasting rights just before the start of the Spanish Liga F are slowly becoming something of a national tradition in Spain. Once again, the streaming platform DAZN found itself in a dispute with the Spanish women’s top flight and sought to terminate the contract early. The fiasco and international embarrassment were only averted at the very last minute.

The threat of a disaster and a surprising reconciliation

The sports streaming platform originally signed a contract with the Spanish side in 2022 guaranteeing it the purchase of broadcasting rights worth €35 million, which was due to remain in force until the end of the 2026/27 season. However, DAZN soon realised that this would not be as lucrative a venture as many had anticipated in light of the general rise in the popularity of women’s football in recent years. 

According to unofficial information, DAZN reportedly generated only around €1 million to €1,4 million per year from the deal, which is roughly one-fifth to one-quarter of the amount invested. This was not the platform’s first business blunder. A few years ago, DAZN also experienced significant disappointment in connection with the broadcasting rights for the France’s first men’s football league, Ligue 1, which ultimately led to a lawsuit and the premature termination of the contract.

Once again this year, it looked unlikely that DAZN and Liga F would be able to agree on terms acceptable to both parties. The Spanish top flight even launched a tender process to find a new broadcasting partner. For the Spanish and Andorran markets, the league set a minimum price of €5 million per season for Package 1, which includes all matches in a given league round, and €2 million for Package 2, which consists of four league matches per round.

Although several candidates reportedly expressed interest in purchasing the broadcasting rights, none of them were willing to accept the financial demands proposed by representatives of Liga F, causing a serious threat to loom over the Iberian Peninsula: There was a very real likelihood that there would simply be no one to broadcast the top women’s league. In the end, however, the situation took an unexpected turn. 

Although it initially looked as though DAZN had fallen out with Liga F for good, to everyone’s surprise, a reconciliation took place and a new agreement was reached. Whilst this is effectively set to last three years, as we know from previous seasons, it is quite possible that everything will be reassessed again next summer. 

This gloomy premonition is also supported by the fact that the contract was concluded at the very last minute and under enormous pressure from both the media and the clubs, so it is unlikely that this is anything other than a last-minute lifeline rather than a carefully considered move on both sides.

However, the predetermined financial terms will reportedly be honoured, with the help of the Spanish public broadcaster RTVE, more specifically, its TVE and TV3 divisions. Whilst DAZN secured the aforementioned first package for €5 million, RTVE has decided to purchase the second one for €2 million. 

Strong support in Catalonia

The Spanish public broadcaster plans to broadcast four matches a week as part of its free-to-air service, meaning that Spaniards will be able to watch half of the competition’s matches for free every weekend. These matches will also be shown on the Catalan regional channel TV3, which will be granted a sub-licence for this purpose. This is a fairly logical move, as support for women’s football has traditionally been quite strong in Catalonia due to Barcelona’s long-term dominance.

Óscar Vilda, CEO of DAZN Iberia, welcomes the agreement, at least publicly: “Women’s football continues to grow, and we want to remain a key player in its development, bringing the competition to an ever-expanding audience and offering fans a top-tier experience. Our commitment to the development of women’s sport remains unwavering, and the renewal of the Liga F rights is further proof of our firm and ongoing commitment to its growth.”

Liga F had originally also sought to sell European broadcasting rights, setting a price of at least €800,000 per season for Package A. However, no suitable buyer has yet come forward.

Aftermath far beyond Spain’s borders

Although the fire was eventually put out, just as it was last year, it had already caused considerable damage. Liga F will now find it difficult to shake off the wounds it has inflicted on the reputation of Spanish women’s football and the Spanish top flight. In the wake of the exodus of some top players to England in search of better financial conditions, the international community has been given yet another reason to criticise the league. 

Unfortunately, the scandal has also spilled over far beyond the world of football, specifically into the sphere of conservative right-wing media and influencers who, although they otherwise pay no attention to women’s sport, have eagerly seized upon this topic and exploited it as fuel to promote their political views. One need only read an excerpt from a commentary by the conservative journalist Carl Deconinck to immediately see what is at stake here: “Elite women’s teams are frequently outperformed in training or exhibition matches by well-drilled boys’ under-15 or under-16 sides, a pattern that has been observed across several countries. 

This gap in athletic output, combined with differences in technical speed and physical intensity relative to the men’s game, continues to limit mainstream audience interest and the willingness of broadcasters to pay premium fees. Despite these commercial and competitive realities, feminist campaigners and activists continue to demand equal pay, equal prize money and equal media treatment with the men’s game.”

So whilst this year’s drama ended happily, at least from the television viewer’s perspective, a whole host of questions remain. Liga F has gained the necessary stability for the coming season, but there is no proof that it can convince the market of its value in the long term. If, in future years, it continues to rely on agreements concluded under time pressure, the annual hectic negotiations could become an unpleasant tradition that will only reinforce doubts about the competition’s financial stability and the merit of supporting women’s football in general.