FA enjoys sales to broadcasters, distributors

The GBP 145 million for English FA overseas rights came in a mix of direct sales to broadcasters and intermediaries.

Rights distributor SPORTFIVE picked up some of the contracts, but the FA also sold directly to overseas broadcasters for the contract period from 2008 to 2012.

One example of a direct sell came when ESPN Star Sports likely grabbed rights in Asia. The FA will not release bidders until after the contracts are finalised. With the English national team in serious danger of missing the 2008 European Championships, the cash flow provided does give the FA some financial breathing room.

"It means that the FA will be in its strongest-ever financial position, allowing us to substantially increase our investment back into all levels of the game," FA chief executive Brian Barwick told Sportcal. "The new deal also underlines the enormous popularity of the England team and the FA Cup around the world, at a time when FIFA have opened the way for a possible English bid for the 2018 World Cup."

Source: euFootball.BIZ © Copyright 2006 - All rights reserved.