BeIN Sports continue as Serie A broadcast partners

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Round 1 of Italy’s Serie A kicked off with beIN Sports Australia showcasing the opening round, and will continue to do so for the rest of the 2021/22 season and beyond.

A last-minute agreement on the eve of the campaign saw matches broadcast as per normal last weekend. An extension to the media rights agreement will ensure that beIN Sports remain as the exclusive home of Italian football in Australia until 2024.

Established in 2012, beIN Sports is a global network of sports channels owned and operated by the Qatari media group beIN.

Serie A fans will relish the opportunity to watch one of the most successful and most-watched leagues in the world live and exclusively on beIN Sports. In addition, the return of greater crowds in stadiums across Italy will make for an even greater viewing experience for Australian-based fans.

The deal will see the likes of European giants Juventus, Roma, Lazio, Internazionale, AC Milan, Napoli and recent high-flyers Atalanta battling it out each week to reach the summit of Italian football.

Serie A has attracted some of the world’s top talent over the past seasons, with marquee signings like Cristiano Ronaldo, Paulo Dybala, Ciro Immobile, Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez all on display in recent seasons.

The continuation of Serie A’s agreement reaffirms beIN Sports as the home of the top four European leagues in Australia.

beIN SPORTS’ football rights portfolio in Australia includes LaLiga, Bundesliga, Ligue 1, EFL, SPFL, and the Carabao Cup – alongside international tennis and rugby tournaments.

beIN SPORTS is available in Australia via the Kayo, Foxtel, Fetch and beIN SPORTS CONNECT platforms.

Mike Kerr, Managing Director of beIN Asia-Pacific, was delighted to have secured Serie A for a further three seasons from 2021/22.

“With the extension of Serie A’s rights in Australia, we are proud to be the trusted broadcast partner for Italy’s top flight across the Asia-Pacific region. Serie A complements our incredible portfolio of European football in one of our most valuable markets, Australia,” he said.

“We are pleased that fans can continue watching the best Italian clubs and talent on beIN SPORTS. As the leading pan-regional sports broadcaster in the region, we aim to work alongside our affiliate partners to grow audiences and provide a compelling sports experience across all screens.”

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APL and PFA remain without agreement as bargaining tensions continue

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Image Credit: A-Leagues

The Australian Professional Leagues (APL) and Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) remain without a new collective bargaining agreement, with negotiations continuing less than three months before the start of the 2026–27 A-Leagues season.

The APL presented the players’ union with a new one-year interim proposal on August 5, which included an increase to the A-League Women salary cap and a commitment to establish a pathway towards full-time professionalism for the women’s competition within 12 months.

The proposed agreement would provide an interim framework while the two parties continue discussions over a longer-term collective bargaining agreement.

APL chief executive Steve Rosich said the proposal reflected the league’s commitment to reaching a sustainable agreement with players following eight months of negotiations.

However, the PFA criticised the APL for publicly announcing the proposal shortly after presenting it to the union, arguing that the approach had further damaged trust between the two parties.

PFA Chief Executive Beau Busch also said players had overwhelmingly rejected the APL’s previous final offer, citing a lack of trust in the league’s ability to ensure its future.

Full-time professionalism for the A-League Women remains a key priority for the PFA, with players seeking improved conditions and greater investment in the competition.

The A-League Men and A-League Women seasons are both scheduled to begin on 16 October 2026.

With the new season approaching, both parties face pressure to resolve the dispute and establish the framework governing player conditions across the A-Leagues.

 

 

Jeff Bezos consortium set for $2.7 billion Liverpool investment

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Image Credits: Fortune

Liverpool could soon welcome one of the world’s richest men into its ownership structure.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is part of a consortium in advanced talks to buy a 30% stake in the club.

The proposed deal values Liverpool at around $8.6 billion (4.5 billion pounds). Bezos has a personal fortune estimated at $363 billion.

The investment would give Fenway Sports Group (FSG) a major financial return. It would also allow FSG to keep control of the club, which they bought in 2010.

The proposal has attracted attention across football. It has also created concern among sections of the Liverpool fanbase.

FSG set for major return

FSG bought Liverpool for $573 million (300 million pounds) in 2010. The ownership group later provided further funding through loans. In the last 16 years, the club has undergone major growth.

Liverpool ended a 30-year wait for a league title in 2020. The club also won the Champions League in 2019. Another Premier League title followed in 2025.

Stadium redevelopment and a new training centre have also increased the club’s value. FSG could cash in on $2.7 billion (1.4 billion pounds) if the 30% share is sold.

The deal would therefore represent a huge return on its original investment. However, whilst the investment would provide a massive cash out for the owners of Liverpool, due to Financial Fair Play there won’t be increased investment in the transfer market.

Why Bezos wants Liverpool

Bezos has explored sports investments before. He has been linked with major American franchises such as the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks.

Liverpool would give him a stake in one of football’s biggest global brands. The club also has a large following in the United States. The New York Times has also reported Liverpool has 26 million fans in America.

That makes the investment attractive for investors looking to expand their reach in global sport. American businessmen Eduardo Saverin and Amit Bhatia are also reportedly involved in the consortium.

The deal would add to the growing American influence across English football.

Fans remain cautious

Liverpool supporters have not automatically welcomed the proposal.

The club’s previous experience under Tom Hicks and George Gillett still influences the fanbase.

Supporters also want greater clarity over the consortium’s intentions. Questions remain over board representation, control and the long-term purpose of the investment.

For many fans, ownership must involve more than financial ambition. The Bezos proposal could strengthen Liverpool’s commercial position. It could also deliver a huge payday for FSG.

But until the consortium reveals more about its plans, supporters are likely to treat the deal with scepticism.

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