Fox renews Uefa Champions League rights deal Fox Sports has reached an agreement with Uefa to retain its exclusive US and Caribbean media rights to the Uefa Champions League and Uefa Europa League for a further three years. The new agreement will run from 2015/2016, when the current deal expires, up until the conclusion of the 2017/2018 season. It covers both the English and Spanish-language rights. It is believed Fox, NBC Sports Group, Univision and BeIN Sport all submitted bids for the highly prized rights, although it has been suggested that after a second round of bidding none of the broadcasters met Uefa’s desired price of US$100 million per year. Indeed, US reports indicated that Fox’s successful bid fell significantly short of the US$83 million per year NBC is paying for Premier League rights until 2015. Guy-Laurent Epstein, the marketing director of Uefa Events SA, said: “Fox Sports prevailed to win the rights in a competitive tender process, in part thanks to its impressive commitment to market and promote the competitions. Fox Sports has demonstrated its ability to provide a home that is worthy of the club competitions and Uefa is delighted to continue this partnership until 2018.” Fox intends to screen all 146 Champions 68 | www.soccerex.com
League matches on either a live or delayed basis across Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, Fox Deportes, Fox Soccer Plus and its Fox Sports Regional Networks. It will supplement this coverage by broadcasting all 146 Champions League matches live online and on mobile via Fox Sports GO and FoxSoccer2Go. It will broadcast the tournament’s final live on Fox - its flagship US channel. Additionally, the network will air two weekly Europa League fixtures on Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2 and Fox Soccer Plus. As with the Champions League, all Europa League matches will be available to watch live via the Fox Sports Go mobile app. “The combination of Uefa Champions and Europa leagues provides viewers with the complete club competition experience at the highest level,” said David Nathanson, the general manager and chief operating officer of Fox Sports 1 and 2. “The fact that all the leading European teams and players continue to be seen on one destination speaks to Fox Sports’ commitment to showcase the world’s best. No other sports television franchise has an elite international soccer schedule that even comes close.” The agreement shores up Fox’s football portfolio after the broadcaster and rival ESPN lost the US rights to the Premier League to NBC earlier this year.
TCC scores Pelé merchandise deal Retail marketing firm TCC has signed an exclusive deal with Pelé to use the football legend’s image in a range of limited edition merchandise. Under the terms of the deal TCC gains the rights to distribute Pelé-branded soccer balls, which it will use to reward shoppers and drive customer loyalty with retailers internationally. The programme will launch in retail outlets such as Tesco stores across central and Eastern Europe, including Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Czech Republic and Turkey, from early April 2014. “I am very excited about this partnership, which will give children around the world a chance to play football and share in my passion,” Pelé said in a statement. “These programmes will reward customers with Pelé products giving many children the opportunity to learn and play, something all kids should have the opportunity to do.” TCC partnered with 1966 Entertainment, in collaboration with Legends 10, the official global representatives of Pelé, to broker the deal. TCC’s global marketing director Neil Macgeorge added: “We are tremendously honoured to be partnering with Pelé and thrilled to offer this exclusive license to our retail customers. As a football idol Pelé commands mass customer appeal, particularly with children and families. “To drive shopper loyalty retailers need to offer shoppers special experiences and this exclusive partnership not only provides this, but also gives children around the world the chance to practice their football skills.”