The decision made by a certain individual has sparked conversations worldwide. The star player from PSG has officially declared that he will not be extending his contract with the club. This news is a major blow for the Parisian team, as the player has been the face of the team for the past five years. Additionally, the entire sporting project of the club has revolved around this Frenchman recently. His departure will undoubtedly leave a significant void in the team, as they have yet to find a suitable replacement. However, former president of PSG, Alain Caizac, holds a different perspective. The French business tycoon believes that Ligue 1 will be the most affected by Kylian’s departure.
Earlier this week, the PSG star confirmed his decision to leave the club as a free agent. Mbappe has garnered interest from some of the top teams in the world, with Real Madrid leading the race for his services. However, they will face competition from Arsenal and Liverpool, as both teams are eager to secure the player’s signature.
Caizac shared his thoughts on the departure of the World Cup-winning Frenchman in an interview. He claimed that PSG has the capability to bounce back from losing their biggest star. The former PSG president stated, “Mbappe’s departure will have a greater impact on the French League than on Paris Saint-Germain. Undoubtedly, we will sell fewer shirts, but the marketing machine of Paris Saint-Germain is incredibly successful.”
He further emphasized that PSG’s focus should be on finding a replacement during the upcoming transfer window. Caizac added, “If I were president, I would not be concerned about the commercial repercussions of Mbappe’s departure. The only thing that would concern me is the next transfer window.”
Looking at it from Caizac’s perspective, the former PSG boss does make a valid point. While PSG has profited from having Kylian Mbappe as their star player, the team still has the means to generate revenue despite losing him. However, with Mbappe no longer in the picture, Ligue 1’s viewership and broadcasting rights are at risk.
The French soccer league could potentially suffer significant losses in the coming months. Currently, Ligue 1 earns a substantial $148 million from broadcast rights, largely due to Kylian Mbappe’s presence. The league was expecting a significant boost in viewership and sponsorship rights in the near future. Unfortunately, it seems that these plans may not come to fruition.
Reports suggest that the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) may face significant challenges during their upcoming negotiations for broadcasting rights. Initially, the LFP expected to receive close to $1 billion for their broadcasting rights between 2024-2029. However, it is now projected that they may have to settle for around $850 million, resulting in a $150 million loss.
With Kylian Mbappe’s departure looming in the summer, it raises the question of whether Ligue 1 will still be considered one of the top five leagues in the world. We invite you to share your thoughts in the comments section below.
According to the Source essentiallysports.com