It is searching for advisors to help with a new deal
The English Football League (EFL) is looking for independent advisors to provide advice during the sale of its international broadcast rights for post-2022.
The organisation is looking to find the best approach to maximise both value and exposure in this round of rights sales. This could mean taking futher advantage of technological opportunities such as online streaming platforms.
The governing body currently has its own OTT platform, iFollow, which allows fans to have video and audio coverage of their club’s matches through a subscription or match-by-match basis – as long as broadcasting restrictions in their region don’t interfere and their side has opted into the platform.
The current five-year deal for their international broadcast rights with Pitch International comes to an end in 2022. It gives a guaranteed revenue of $160 million (£124.9m) and sees the Carabao Cup, Leasing.com Trophy, Sky Bet Championship, League One, and League Two broadcast in 177 territories worldwide.
However, the governing body is still looking to grow it and its clubs’ presence internationally. It is looking for advisors with a track record in commercialising international media rights and a clear understanding of the media rights landscape – who could help them to have firm plans by the summer or before 2021.
EFL Chief Commercial Officer, Ben Wright, said: “With the change in the media landscape, alongside the launch of the League’s OTT platform, we now need to work with the relevant advisors to inform the EFL and its Clubs on the best approach moving forwards.”
The EFL could follow in the footsteps of the Premier League – which sold a package of rights to streaming platform Amazon Prime Video in their last sale. This saw Amazon make all 10 Boxing Day games available for fans to watch at home this season – the first time this has happened.
For the advisor role, those with relevant experience and demonstrable track records should contact the EFL (bwright@efl.com) for full details.