beIN Sports MENA back in running for Serie A rights

BeIN Sports is back in the bidding for MENA rights to Italy’s Serie A after effectively being shut out when the Italian league made a failed attempt to market rights on a country-by-country basis.

DTVE understands that beIN Sports MENA has made a bid for Serie A rights for the region that is well below the value of its previous deal with the league but superior to a rival bid from Abu Dhabi Media and Starzplay, which is reported to be worth €140 million in total.

Abu Dhabi Media and Starzplay are also reported to have made a bid for Italian Supercoppa rights for five seasons from 2023-24 worth €22 million a year, with a proposal to hold a mini-tournament involving four teams in Abu Dhabi.

BeIN is returning to the table in the wake of a spectacular fallout with Serie A boss Luigi de Siervo that saw Serie A dropped from its line-up of sports properties. BeIN had accused the italian league of doing little to combat illegal transmission of matches from Saudi Arabia-backed pirate broadcaster beoutQ, while De Siervo struck a deal with Saudi Arabia for the latter to host the Supercoppa that will run until next season’s final.

DTVE understands that beIN returned to bidding after being approached direct by AS Roma owner Dan Friedkin, acting on behalf of his own and other clubs in the league, while refusing to deal with De Siervo.

BeIN is also understood to have had talks with new Serie A president Lorenzo Cassini, who took up the post in March.

DTVE understands that beIN Sports has made its offer on a take it or leave it basis and will not chase the rights.

In the wake of the failed attempt to market rights in the region on a per-country basis, the league has faced a shortfall in revenue from the region. Serie A games are currently available in MENA free to view on YouTube.