The German Football League (DFL) will pay out less money to the 36 professional clubs in two months than planned. “The distribution rate for June 2024 will be reduced from the original 127 million euros to 47 million euros,” says a DFL letter to the 36 clubs, which is available to the German Press Agency. “Bild” and “Kicker” had previously reported on it.
The letter continues: “The reason for this is that revenues of EUR 80 million can only be collected later this year because payments from partners could not be made on the contractual due dates. At the instigation of the partners in question, agreements had to be made about later payments.” It is currently not known which company, besides DAZN, is involved.
“The DFL already agreed on a new payment plan with DAZN in February for the installments in March and April,” said a spokesman for the media company on Friday evening in response to a dpa request: “This is a normal process in working capital management between business partners.” The missing one According to reports, money will be paid with interest at a later date.
DAZN threatens to withdraw
With the late payments and the letter, the DFL’s dispute with the media company DAZN continues. The global media company announced on Friday afternoon that it would take the dispute with the DFL over Rights Pact B to court.
According to dpa information, the internet sports broadcaster also intends to withdraw completely from the Bundesliga TV broadcast if it does not receive package B.
The sales process for the audiovisual media rights of the Bundesliga was interrupted the previous week. The lack of a bank guarantee from DAZN was controversial. The dispute is about package B of the TV rights auction with live games on pay TV. It is the largest package with the matches on Saturday at 3.30 p.m. and on Friday evening as well as the relegation games. This package includes a total of 196 live games.
