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Nice Today
By the People, for the People
Former LFP Media CEO hits back at Ligue 1 Plus criticism
Tavernost defends Ligue 1's in-house broadcaster after Nice president Rivere's comments
Published on Feb. 23, 2026
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Jean-Pierre Rivere, the president of OGC Nice, criticized the launch of Ligue 1 Plus, the French league's in-house broadcaster. However, Nicolas Tavernost, the former CEO of LFP Media, has hit back on social media, defending the decision to create Ligue 1 Plus and stating that the league's presidents, including Rivere, unanimously voted for its creation.
Why it matters
The launch of Ligue 1 Plus has been a controversial move, as the league's in-house broadcaster has struggled to secure the rights to major events like the World Cup. This has raised concerns about subscriber retention and the long-term viability of the project, making the public disagreement between Rivere and Tavernost significant for the future of French football broadcasting.
The details
Last summer, it was agreed that the LFP would launch its own in-house broadcaster, Ligue 1 Plus, in response to the TV broadcasting rights crisis that deepened when DAZN pulled out of their deal to broadcast Ligue 1 after just one season. Rivere, the Nice president, has criticized this decision, saying 'I think that we have made a strategic error with Ligue 1 Plus.' However, Tavernost, the former CEO of LFP Media, has hit back on social media, stating that the Ligue 1 presidents, including Rivere, unanimously voted for the creation of Ligue 1 Plus and that Rivere's intervention with Canal Plus 'led to nothing.'
- Last summer, it was agreed that the LFP would launch its own in-house broadcaster, Ligue 1 Plus.
- Rivere made his comments on the Nice-Matin show Gym Tonic last week.
The players
Jean-Pierre Rivere
The president of OGC Nice who criticized the launch of Ligue 1 Plus, the French league's in-house broadcaster.
Nicolas Tavernost
The former CEO of LFP Media who has hit back on social media, defending the decision to create Ligue 1 Plus.
Fabrice Bocquet
The former president of OGC Nice who left the club last summer, leading to Rivere's return.
What they’re saying
“I think that we have made a strategic error with Ligue 1 Plus.”
— Jean-Pierre Rivere, President of OGC Nice (Nice-Matin)
“Following Rivere's comments, I will remind [you] that the Ligue 1 Presidents, including Rivere, unanimously voted for the creation of Ligue 1 Plus, the result of a satisfactory alternative.”
— Nicolas Tavernost, Former CEO of LFP Media (X (formerly Twitter)
“His intervention with Canal Plus, with whom he says he is close, led to nothing.”
— Nicolas Tavernost, Former CEO of LFP Media (X (formerly Twitter)
The takeaway
The disagreement between Rivere and Tavernost highlights the ongoing challenges facing the French football league as it navigates the complex and evolving landscape of sports broadcasting. The success or failure of Ligue 1 Plus will have significant implications for the future of French football, making this a critical issue to follow in the coming months and years.
