Belgian football fans are in limbo as a high-stakes dispute between streaming giant DAZN and the Pro League, the governing body for Belgian professional football, threatens to pull the plug on live broadcasts. After months of tense negotiations, DAZN has declared it cannot afford to resell the football rights at a profit, leading to the termination of their current agreement with the Pro League. This move has sparked an urgent arbitration process, leaving the future of where to watch the games hanging in the balance.
DAZN, though, has assured subscribers that they won’t be left in the dark, at least for now. The streaming service has stated that Pro League content will remain accessible as part of existing subscriptions until the end of the season. In an email to its customers, DAZN confirmed, Pro League content will be available as part of your subscription until the end of the season.
They also added a crucial caveat: We will keep you informed if there are any changes to this situation.
Moreover, DAZN has promised that if Pro League content becomes unavailable before the season concludes, customers will be offered the option to switch to a cheaper option product or cancel their subscription with immediate effect, in line with consumer protection laws.
The Pro League, however, is pushing back hard. They have initiated an urgent arbitration request with CEPANI, Brussels’ arbitration tribunal.Their primary demand is for DAZN to honor its contractual obligations and continue making payments to the Belgian football clubs until a definitive ruling on the dispute is reached,which is expected in the coming weeks. The Pro League’s stance is clear: the contract must be upheld,including the financial commitments.
This situation underscores the volatile nature of sports broadcasting rights in the digital age. For fans, it’s a frustrating reminder that their access to live games can be subject to complex business dealings. the outcome of the CEPANI arbitration will be critical in determining whether DAZN can continue broadcasting Belgian football or if a new solution will need to be found. The Pro League CEO, Lorin Parys, has already voiced strong opposition, calling DAZN’s actions an attack on Belgian football.
The saga also brings into focus the aspiring vision of DAZN’s owner, Len Blavatnik, who aims to transform the platform into the Netflix of sports.
Though, this dispute highlights the critically important financial risks and challenges involved in securing and monetizing exclusive sports rights. As the arbitration process unfolds, fans will be eagerly awaiting a resolution that ensures their continued access to the Belgian football league.
“This is an attack on Belgian football”: Pro League CEO lorin Parys reacts angrily to DAZN’s canceled contract
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© DAVID CATRY
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