This time, the threat seems real. And imminent. Fans of the French Basketball Championship risk finding themselves in front of a black screen this weekend. The broadcast of the 30th day of Betclic Élite, and the entire end of the season, indeed seems more than uncertain. Even that of the Sunday match on the Chaîne l’Équipe, which was not in danger until then, could be affected.
According to our information, the L’Équipe group, which produces the matches of the French Championship via its company 21 Prod, sent, this Wednesday morning, a registered letter to Skweek, official broadcaster of the French Championship and the Euroleague, to terminate the current contract between the two companies “unless agreed”.
Payments, but far from the expected amounts
Since the start of the season, and as revealed by Le Parisien, the digital platform, owned by FedCom Media, a branch of the multinational FedCom, has allegedly accumulated unpaid and late payments with its partners. The damage amounts to several million euros.
Received at our premises at the end of March to explain himself and respond to the accusations, Oleg Petrov, CEO of Skweek and FedCom Media, then confirmed reimbursement delays but assured that his group would quickly comply and pay in full amounts owed. “We will pay everything in the coming weeks,” he announced. Within 2 to 3 weeks we will have repaid 50% of what we owe and, quickly, 100%. Everything will be covered until the end. »
According to our information, the group has indeed made its first payments but far from the amounts expected and hoped for by the various partners. It is in this context, and the desire to move the situation forward, which would have pushed the L’Équipe group to send the letter.
The French media would not be the only one to have done this since the Euroleague would also have threatened Skweek to withdraw the broadcasting rights for the premier competition in Europe by the end of the season. A shame when we know that Aleksey Fedorychev, boss of FedCom, is also the owner of the Monaco basketball club which is aiming for the final four of the Euroleague.
Asvel, collateral victim
Skweek, whose assets seem blocked due to the geopolitical situation and the war in Ukraine, is also present at Asvel as a jersey sponsor. A partnership of around 7 million euros. Of this sum, Tony Parker’s club would have only received two. A situation which would put the Asvel project in great difficulty and could cause a severe financial regime in the future.
Skweek, jersey sponsor of Edwin Jackson’s Asvel, has not honored its entire sponsorship contract with the Rhone club. Eurokinissi/Icon Sport
This context will inevitably be addressed during the general assembly of the National Basketball League which is being held this Wednesday afternoon. Oleg Petrov would also have asked to speak. The series is far from over.
