Four media companies seeking Serie A rights

Italian top-flight Serie A has seen four media companies vying for the league’s broadcast rights in the upcoming 2021 to 2024 cycle.

Serie A is looking to move into its next phase of a broadcast rights agreement, seeking €1.15bn (1.81 billion AUD) a year.

The four bidders – Sky, DAZN, Mediapro and Discovery, were all unable to match Serie A’s requirement of an 18 per cent uplift on its current deals. Serie A executives will talk with each bidder about a possible increase in their offers.

Amazon were one of the potential bidders for the Serie A rights but they were seeking a limited package. It would’ve been akin to the digital giants’ rights deal with the English Premier League, but that is not what Serie A is after.

“I think there is room to improve the offers, they were not so bad as some could expect given the situation with the coronavirus pandemic,” Lega Serie A chief executive Luigi De Siervo said.

“We knew that Amazon had asked for a package on the model of the Premier League, which covers three days and that would upset our strategy.

“We consciously believed, in design of the packages not to have to change our approach to the market. In this historical moment interest from with certain operators is lower, but this should not change our approach so that viewers have to subscribe to an additional platform.”

While there is no clear frontrunner, it appears promising for DAZN. The UK-based digital sports media company has a secondary package of domestic Serie A rights, but they are aiming to take a step up and become the league’s main broadcaster.

“DAZN is a well-known brand and has become a dominant platform in other territories,” De Siervo said.

“It aims to take on the biggest central broadcast role Sky has had for many years. [Sky] also has the opportunity and resources to compete, reach and overcome a ‘big offer’ in the second phase of negotiations.”

Il Sole 24 Ore reports that Sky and Infront had submitted bids that would see them establish and manage a branded Serie A channel. However, advanced talks will only occur if a deal can’t be reached in private pay-TV contract negotiations or the second round of conversations with bidders.

Discussion with the four bidders begins on February 5th, with the plan of finalising a deal by February 8th.

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Inter Miami CF Welcomes Más+ by Messi as Hydration Partner

Inter Miami CF names Más+ by Messi as its Official Hydration Partner in a new partnership, the alliance ensures hydration for all players, from the Academy to the First Team, while introducing Más+ by Messi to fans at Chase Stadium.

This partnership adds to Lionel Messi’s growing commercial ventures as Inter Miami’s captain and football legend. Founded by Messi, Más+ by Messi provides balanced hydration with electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals, serving both elite athletes and everyday consumers.

Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF’s leadership underscored the partnership’s significance, emphasising its advantages for both players and fans. Messi shared his enthusiasm for the collaboration.

“It’s a huge honour and joy that Más+ by Messi is becoming a partner of Inter Miami. When working on this drink, we aimed to provide hydration not only for elite athletes but also for amateurs and anyone looking to stay properly hydrated in their daily lives, while also benefiting from electrolytes and vitamins,” he said via press release.

Más+ by Messi’s Executive Vice President, Rishi Daing highlighted the vital role of hydration for everyone.

“Players for Inter Miami understand how important hydration is to achieving their goals. Now everyone can benefit from the same hydration, whether they’re on the field, in the stands, or in everyday life. We’re proud to partner with Inter Miami to share the importance of everyday hydration,” he said via press release.

Más+ by Messi will be seamlessly integrated into Inter Miami’s matchday experience and training facilities:

  • On-Field Presence: Branded coolers and towels will be used during training and matches.
  • Academy Support: The brand will aid youth development, reflecting Messi’s dedication to nurturing young talent.
  • Matchday Access: Fans at Chase Stadium can enjoy all Más+ by Messi flavours, including the city-inspired “Miami Punch.”
  • Retail Expansion: Available at Publix, Inter Miami’s Official Grocery Partner.
  • Stadium Branding: Visible throughout Chase Stadium, including press conferences and fan engagement areas.

This partnership extends beyond standard sponsorship, with Más+ by Messi actively engaging Inter Miami fans through activations and promotions at Chase Stadium. The brand’s presence in the Fan Zone and Northwest Club will further enhance the fan experience.

As Inter Miami CF expands its commercial ventures, this collaboration blends sports performance, business strategy, and the growing impact of Lionel Messi’s personal brand.

Melbourne Victory’s brand-new infrastructure strategy

Melbourne Victory & SEDA

A-League giant Melbourne Victory has revealed a brand-new extensive infrastructure strategy to foster and support tomorrow’s footballing stars.

The strategic infrastructure plan set out by Victory will aim to develop youth and women’s football programs by providing improved access to world class footballing facilities and player pathways across Victoria.

To achieve this, Melbourne Victory has opted for a campus model to enable players access to connected and consistent facilities across the North, East, South and West of Melbourne, all within an hour’s journey of Victory’s club administrative centre and the A-League Men’s training facilities at Gosch’s Paddock.

The club also intends to build another campus within the Melbourne city centre, with the first campus location to be announced by the club soon, as it continues to review and assess possible sites across the city.

Melbourne Victory Chairman, John Dovaston, explained why the club had chosen the campus model.

“The announcement of this project, and the direction taken, is aimed at ensuring we are best placed to attract and retain football talent across the State,” he said in a press release.

“Our innovative approach will allow us to have a number of campuses with not only an elite focus, but also, an eye on building our community to ensure that all Victorians have an opportunity to participate and engage in our game.”

Melbourne Victory Managing Director, Caroline Carnegie, outlined why the new infrastructure strategy was so important to the club.

“It is well understood that sport and football can influence social cohesion, and it’s our responsibility as a Club to establish infrastructure and programs that can positively impact members of the community, regardless of gender, background or location, whether that be through training the next generation of football stars, or using football as a vehicle to lead, unite, connect and inspire the community more broadly,” she said via press release.

“By enabling Victory to connect with communities across the North, South, East, and West of AAMI Park, our spiritual home, we can truly grow the Victory family and set new standards for elite facilities in our Pathway and community programs.”

The infrastructure project is an important move for the club, allowing it to grow, improve and future-proof its current suite of footballing programs. Currently, Victory operates nine elite and 23 pathway programs, providing services to over 16,000 participants across Victoria. Through the campus model, the club hopes it will be able to more efficiently develop the new generation of A-League and national team players.

“The priority is to provide not just an entry point for individuals to engage and participate in football, but to keep them engaged and provide a holistic journey to grow the Victory family across the State,” Carnegie continued.

“We are excited about the opportunities that the project can provide and the potential for growth for our Club and for football in the future.”

Melbourne Victory will continue to issue updates as it sets on the 5-year-plus journey to complete the entire project. For more information on the club’s major infrastructure strategy, access the plan HERE.

 

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