Spanish football league strikes international deal with Mediapro

Spain’s football league has named Mediapro as its agent for the international rights to matches of the country’s first and second division teams, following a change in rules that meant all rights are now negotiated centrally rather than by individual teams.

Mediapro previously held rights to 38 of the 42 teams in the first and second divisions. Under the new agreement, it will act as international agent for the rights.

La Liga president Javier Tebas said he expected the international rights to deliver €600 million, €400 million than under the previous contracts.

The Spanish league last week rejected a reported €450 million a year offer for the international rights from Telefónica.

The agreement between the league and Mediapro comes against the background of a renewed ‘soccer war’ in Spain, potentially aligning Mediapro and Al Jazeera-backed beIN Sport on one side against Telefónica, which holds the domestic rights to key clubs including Barcelona, on the other. BeIN Sport is expected to launch in Spain soon, replacing the GolT channel operated by Medipro.