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The bidding war over UEFA’s competition media rights — including the Champions League, a crown jewel of broadcasting rights — is now over.
TEAM Marketing, which already works with UEFA, won global rights, while the Stephen Ross-backed company Relevent Sports Group nabbed U.S. rights, according to The New York Times.
- In total, the rights could be worth more than $4 billion every year, per Sportico.
- Relevent Sports reportedly guaranteed a minimum of $250 million, while UEFA’s rivals deliver about $150 million.
The deal marks Relevent Sports Group’s inaugural dance with UEFA — but it’s not the company’s first foray into the soccer world.
The company inked a 15-year partnership with La Liga in 2018 and eventually got the league around $2 billion in rights from ESPN as well as Mexican and Central American broadcasters.
Bouncing Back
For UEFA, the deal couldn’t come at a better time.
During the fiscal year ending in 2021, European clubs lost $5 billion in pandemic-related losses, according to a UEFA report. Including 2019-20, the tally could reach $7.9 billion.
Media rights revenue was a saving grace — and from the looks of these deals, it will continue to be.
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