The English Football League has agreed a controversial new television rights deal with Sky Sports, worth USD 765 Million. The five year deal, which runs from the start of next season until May 2024, is a 35% increase on the previous contract. But a number of the Championship’s larger clubs feel it undervalues how much the rights are worth and will meet on Tuesday to discuss their next move.
Meanwhile The EFL board formally concluded a deal with Sky Sports for its domestic broadcasting rights following a meeting of the Board. Board announced that deal was concluded after thorough deliberation, which included correspondence from Championship Clubs, and in view of all the information available, it determined that it was in the overall best interests of the EFL to sign the five year, USD 765 Million agreement.
The new deal represents a 35% increase on the current arrangement and it will continue to see Sky Sports broadcast live the Sky Bet EFL, Carabao Cup, Checkatrade
Under the new agreement, Sky Sports in each season from 2019/20 will broadcast:
- 138 Sky Bet EFL League matches;
- The 15 Sky Bet EFL Play-Off matches including all three Finals;
- 15 matches from the Carabao Cup including the Final;
- The Semi-Final and Final of the Checkatrade Trophy.
The deal has been designed to maximise both the financial return and exposure for all 72 Member Clubs, the EFL and its competitions. It also ensures that all EFL Clubs are in a position to develop their own Direct to Consumer (DTC) offerings to supporters who reside in the UK and Ireland.
EFL Interim Chair Debbie Jevans CBE commented: “Having fully considered the matter, its implications and any associated risks, the EFL Board is satisfied that the right deal for the EFL and its Clubs has been reached.
“Concluding these negotiations has indeed been challenging, as is the case when managing a diverse group of stakeholders, and the Board took on board the comments and frustrations voiced by a number of Clubs and has committed to reviewing the way the League engages with its Clubs to ensure that we move forward in a collaborative way in the future. The Board looks forward to continuing the excellent relationship and partnership it has with Sky Sports.”
EFL Chief Executive Shaun Harvey said: “The deal we have entered into with Sky, after fully testing the current market through our external advisors, allows our Clubs the benefit of financial security which was an absolute priority for us throughout this process. It is a partnership that, as well as having the necessary financial benefits, provides the EFL with the platform to maximise reach and exposure for its competitions, alongside providing further opportunities for Clubs to monetise some of those games not broadcast on television through a DTC offering.”
Barney Francis, Managing Director of Sky Sports added: “We’re delighted to finalise our agreement with the EFL and give certainty to its clubs, their fans and our customers for five more years. By confirming this deal with the EFL, Sky Sports gets even stronger, alongside 128 Premier League games, the home of F1 and English cricket – the rights that matter most to our customers are secure into the next decade.”
Additional Information:
Deal Commencing 2019/20
Under the new agreement, Sky Sports in each season from 2019/20 will broadcast:
- 138 exclusive Sky Bet EFL League matches, which include:
- A minimum of 20 Sky Bet League One and League Two matches;
- 16 Sky Bet Championship games on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings;
- An additional 8 Sky Bet Championship games on Tuesday or Wednesday evenings that will be broadcast simultaneously with other Sky Bet Championship games
- The 15 Sky Bet EFL Play-Off matches including all three Finals;
- 15 matches from the Carabao Cup including the Final;
- The Semi-Final and Final of the Checkatrade Trophy.
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