1
Les droits TV du Top 14 multipliés par 5 en 20 ans
Alors que le précédent contrat entamé en 2023 et courant jusqu’en 2027 est encore loin d’être terminé, la Ligue Nationale du Rugby (LNR) a décidé de lancer dès ce début avril son appel d’offres pour les quatre ans qui suivront, 2027-2031.
ADVERTISEMENT
Personne ne pourra accuser la LNR d’être ultra prévoyante. Au moins, elle ne sera pas prise au dépourvu à devoir négocier les droits en dernière minute comme c’est souvent le cas avec la Ligue 1.
Ce n’est pas une nouveauté car les droits de la saison 2019-2023 s’étaient négociés en 2016, permettant à toutes les parties prenantes de bien anticiper les rentrées d’argent (et les dépenses) à venir. Et force est de constater que le montant des droits TV a quintuplé en vingt ans.
Lors du contrat 2002-2007, le Top 14 était diffusé pour un montant global de 19,5 millions d’euros. Le montant est passé à 30 millions pour 2001-2011, puis 31,7 millions jusqu’en 2015 avant de s’envoler par la suite : 71 millions (2015-2019), 97 millions (2019-2023) et 113,6 millions (2023-2027).
Les observateurs tablent même sur un montant de 130 millions d’euros minimum pour la prochaine session 2027-2031.
« Il y a quatre ans, 113 millions c’était un pari mais aujourd’hui 130 millions pour le Top 14 oui, c’est jouable », assure Vincent Chaudel, fondateur de l’Observatoire du sport business dans les colonnes de Sud-Ouest.
Certes c’est loin du foot – un milliard d’euros par saison espéré – mais la hausse est constante et la LNR espère réaliser une plus-value de 15% par rapport au contrat actuel, comme le précisait le Midol dans son édition du 22 mars.
Au moins quatre candidats sur les rangs
Comme pour le contrat actuel, la Pro D2 fait partie du package avec le Top 14, soit une prévision attendue de 140 millions d’euros tout compris si plusieurs acteurs se livrent une concurrence féroce.
ADVERTISEMENT
On trouve sur les rangs Canal +, le diffuseur et partenaire historique, mais aussi beIN Sports, Amazon et l’Anglais DAZN qui veut s’ouvrir les portes du marché français. Pourtant, au Royaume-Uni, les droits de retransmission TV ne sont pas aussi élevés : 42 millions d’euros pour le Gallagher Premiership (2021-2024) et 64 millions pour le United Rugby Championship (2021-224). On connaîtra le nom du prochain diffuseur à la fin du mois de mai.
« Si demain le Top 14 n’était plus sur Canal + mais sur un média qui n’a pas la même visibilité, peut-être que le sponsoring maillot n’aura pas la même valeur. La télé est donc un acteur important de l’écosystème et il est légitime de vouloir anticiper », précise Vincent Chaudel.
Malgré l’échec de la France en quart de finale de la Coupe du Monde de Rugby 2023, le rugby a plus que jamais la côte. Sud-Ouest rappelle d’ailleurs l’audience de la brillante affiche Union Bordeaux-Bègles vs Stade Toulousain du dimanche 24 mars : 42 000 supporters dans les tribunes, 723 000 branchés sur Canal. La chaîne cryptée avant battu son record d’audience.
Comments on RugbyPass
Well said Mils. It is a big boost at last having Fergus Burke back at 10 for the Crusaders. Had a great season last year as the article says. Mils is also right about captain Codie Taylor’s performance in his return to the Crusaders last week. He was all class.
4 Go to commentsLet’s make them both Capt. I think we'd get the best of both of them and it would help alleviate some of the pressures of the role. They'd have to confer over on field decisions which should lead to “ learnings “ for both. They are our two best consistent performers.
16 Go to commentsOur best player by far..but not a good Captain..poor tactician cost the AB'S and Canes games by not taking the easy points and going for tries when the lineouts were a shambles..can he read a game? And his throat slitting gesture should disqualify him from the AB Captaincy..it is not the appropriate behaviour of an AB Captain.
16 Go to commentsForget what was said or how many players said it. TONY BROWN IS THE NEW ATTACK COACH. That’s the only story worth freaking out over. The springboks are going to grow their game an awful lot over the next cycle and it’s not just the 19 disgustingly arrogant Irish players who refused to shake Ebens hand and said “see you in the final if you can cheat your way past France” who will find that out first hand.
121 Go to commentsOn one hand I think it's a bit ridiculous that this gar into the season and with only 2 wins the Crusaders may make the finals. On the other hand if it was only top 4 or 5, then that last several weeks may be mainly dead rubbers. Nope, 8th place after round robin shouldn't be able to lift the trophy.
4 Go to commentsI do think the media in NZ treated him badly. Sam is a legend. He is humble, a great rugby mind and leader. What happened in the final could happen to anyone. The margins is so fine these days. I lay blame at the feet of the coaching staff and NZ rugby. The stats tell’s all. The AB’s was the worst disciplined side in the WC with more red and yellow cards than anyone else. Problem is NZ rugby is not training their players to play safer. And thats the danger a fast game brings. More yellow and red cards. But Sam Cane in my eye was and still is a great ambassador for the game, that just had a stroke of bad luck.
5 Go to commentsI hope Jim and co. Add this to their list of icebreaker questions they can ask all their guests going forward. So we can eventually hear what everyone thinks about this subject. “What do you think Ireland meant…”
121 Go to commentsHe’s a dominant personality. That might be both a good and bad thing in team dynamics. Certainly it ruined Smith’s first crack at 10 with Owen at 12. BTW, Bristol flatter to deceive. When things really matter, they tend to deliver less rather than more. Farrell would have been good for them
36 Go to commentsGot a lot of over the top abuse from Crusader fans, in particular, who thought every 7 they had was miles better. Now we will see if anyone is better? Laid his body on the line every game so finishing early makes sense. A lot of life left after rugby.
5 Go to commentsA poor decision to appoint Carley as not only is Pearce a better referee but also importantly speaks French.
2 Go to commentsHe is 100 % on the mark. Malicious arrogance with a lack of respect for the other teams mostly the south. they must learn from True rugby nations like the Boks and Kiwis
121 Go to commentsThis Outiniqua boy has played sublime rugby and deserves a spot in BI LIONS team. Well played son
4 Go to commentsI don’t like to see players miss big matches but this ban looks to be tailored to allow him to compete in the final. In principle a suspension for a very dangerous tackle in a semi should warrant missing the relevant final. Done now. One the flip side having both teams with very strong squads/teams available for the final will add to the occassion hopefully.
1 Go to commentsTalent to burn and a huge engine..hope he gets a shot at higher honours
2 Go to commentsIf anything like his dad he has a bright future, Soane was the best ball carrying props ive ever seen using a combination of pace power and footwork.
1 Go to commentsThose who saw Sharks vs Clermont and Ox N'Che vs Rabah Slimani should have a good idea of the best scrumagers… May be not the best props…
2 Go to commentsIt's been an unusual era of unpopular, highly competitive, domineering, fairly big fly halves in the home nations with Farrell, Sexton and Biggar. Russell is different in personality and player I think. I'd rank Sexton first of the three because he is just as good a game controller but also has a great passing game. And his competitiveness never seems to cause problems with refs.
36 Go to commentsThank goodness he wasn't born in Scotland, he'd have been a great candidate for the Scottish Barbarians. I wouldn't put it past them to push for a “where the player was conceived” rule 😂
2 Go to commentsOwen Farrell is one of the most polarising figures in the game. His entire attitude on the field (and sometimes off of it) smacks of arrogance and he is about as brash as Donald Trump in a political debate. Yet behind that facade is a calculating, determined and powerful leader who drives any team forward with an Iron will. You are right in that he gets better in the heat of battle and in the face of overwhelming odds. He develops a narrow focus and he delivers his best in a way that few others can. He is one of Englands great performers who sacrificed alot for the team and who often bears the weight of responsibility of leadership alone on the field and in front of the media. Despite what many think of him he is a fantastic game manager with a good rugby brain. He will be sorely missed from the international stage
36 Go to commentsAlways proud of the effort, Sam. The All blacks never stop fighting, never just roll over. He didn’t get anywhere near the respect he earned, but that’s due to results, not commitment to the cause. Have fun dominating in Japan!
1 Go to comments