The English Premier League has announced that it has agreed in principle to roll over its £5 billion (US$7 billion) deal with Sky, Amazon, and BT Sport for UK rights to the prestigious soccer competition.
The deal, which has been endorsed by the UK government to ward off an antitrust investigation, means that Sky, Amazon, and BT Sport will continue to broadcast the Premier League live until 2025. The BBC will also continue to show non-live highlights on Match Of The Day.
Rolling over the contracts means that the rights have not been put up for auction, preventing new entrants from bidding. There were reports that DAZN, the streamer run by former Disney executive Kevin Mayer, was interested in bidding after it recently beat Sky to Serie A rights in Italy.
There were concerns that an auction would have resulted in a deal valued at less than the £5 billion achieved in 2018, which would have been problematic for Premier League clubs after their matchday revenue has taken a huge hit during the coronavirus pandemic.
Premier League CEO Richard Masters said, “We are hugely appreciative of the Government agreeing in principle to allow this arrangement and for their continued support for the Premier League and the English game. COVID-19 has had a significant impact on football, and renewals with our UK broadcast partners will reduce uncertainty, generate stability and promote confidence within the football pyramid.”
Want more news? Subscribe to CPI’s free daily newsletter for more headlines and updates on antitrust developments around the world.
Featured News
T-Mobile’s Acquisition of Ka’ena Corporation Receives FCC Approval
Apr 26, 2024 by
CPI
UK Regulator Announces Two New Senior Executive Appointments
Apr 26, 2024 by
CPI
Paramount Global and Skydance Media Near Merger Deal, Eyeing CEO Change
Apr 26, 2024 by
CPI
BHP Unveils £31bn Mining Megamerger Proposal with Anglo American
Apr 25, 2024 by
nhoch@pymnts.com
ByteDance Prefers Shutdown Over Sale of TikTok Amid US Ban Threats
Apr 25, 2024 by
CPI
Antitrust Mix by CPI
Antitrust Chronicle® – Economics of Criminal Antitrust
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
Navigating Economic Expert Work in Criminal Antitrust Litigation
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
The Increased Importance of Economics in Cartel Cases
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
A Law and Economics Analysis of the Antitrust Treatment of Physician Collective Price Agreements
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI
Information Exchange In Criminal Antitrust Cases: How Economic Testimony Can Tip The Scales
Apr 19, 2024 by
CPI