Optus Sport teams up with beIN SPORTS for live venue streaming

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Image credit: beIN Sports

Optus Sport has announced an exciting partnership with beIN SPORTS, enabling commercial venues across Australia to stream premium live sports content from February 2025.

This collaboration allows pubs, clubs, and other venues to access beIN SPORTS’ top-tier coverage through Optus Sport Business’s streaming platform.

The deal significantly enhances Optus Sport’s content offerings, adding major leagues and tournaments such as LALIGA, Serie A, the Carabao Cup, the English Football League, and ATP & WTA Tennis.

With three dedicated beIN SPORTS channels integrated into the Optus Sport Business platform, fans can enjoy seamless access to world-class sporting action in public venues.

Building on the success of UEFA EURO 2024™ and its ongoing coverage of the Premier League, Optus Sport expects this collaboration to elevate the viewing experience, attract more visitors to venues, and create an unmatched atmosphere for sports fans across Australia.

Scott Davoren, Associate Director of Optus Sport Business spoke on the importance of delivering the Optus Sport experience across many venues.

“We are dedicated to helping commercial venues deliver world-class sports experiences, and partnering with beIN SPORTS is a huge step forward in achieving that goal,” Davoren mentioned in a press release.

“Football has been the essence of Optus Sport since 2016, and now, with beIN SPORTS as a venue partner in Australia, we’re privileged to bring an even wider array of live sport to our Optus Sport Business customers.”

John Armitage, Director, Distribution & Country Manager, Australia & New Zealand beIN SPORTS shared the same excited sentiment about the interesting deal.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Optus Sport to bring our premium sports content to commercial venues across Australia,” Armitage said in a press release.

“We understand that the fragmentation of sports rights in this market can be challenging for venues. Through this partnership, we are providing a streamlined, centralised solution-that makes it easier for venues to offer more live sport to their patrons.

“By prioritising the fan experience, we’re ensuring that football and tennis enthusiasts can enjoy unforgettable moments together in their favourite venues. With Optus Sport, we look forward to enhancing -in-venue experiences and drive increased foot traffic into our venue partners.”

This partnership addresses a common challenge for commercial venues: navigating fragmented sports rights across multiple providers.

By consolidating premium sports content, Optus Sport and beIN SPORTS aim to simplify access and deliver a unified sports experience for patrons which will benefit all Australian sport fans.

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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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