Champions League club 'at risk' of bankruptcy after Newcastle United announcement & £1bn snub
Several Ligue 1 clubs are reportedly at risk of bankruptcy, including once set to face Newcastle United at St James’ Park next month.
Stade Brestois will play Newcastle in the Sela Cup at St James’ Park on August 10 (4pm kick-off) ahead of the 2024-25 season. According to L’Equipe, Brest, along with Auxerre, Lens, Nantes, Stade Reims, Montpellier, Le Harve and Angers are all at risk of going bankrupt due to the lack of a broadcast deal in place for the French top flight.
Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) boss Vincent Labrune was initially looking to strike a domestic broadcasting deal worth around £1billion per season but talks with the likes of DAZN and beIN Sports have failed to progress. LFP has since reduced its price to around £500million and explored an alternative option involving creating a new channel with Bouygues, SFR and Orange.
But the lack of incoming broadcast revenue as things stand leaves several French sides in a precarious financial position.
Brest finished third in the top flight last season and qualified for the Champions League as a result, but may have to file for bankruptcy without a broadcasting package in place. The knock-on impact could be disastrous for French football and its clubs, only emphasising the importance for LFP to strike a deal.
Newcastle will host Brest after facing La Liga side Girona in a friendly match on Friday, August 9 (7:30pm kick-off). Girona will also compete in the upcoming 2024-25 Champions League with Brest.
Newcastle missed out on European qualification after finishing seventh in the Premier League due to Manchester United finishing eighth and winning the FA Cup.