EFL, Sky Sports sign £595MN five-season rights deal
Details
Joseph O'Halloran
| 20 November 2018

After facing down a near rebellion by its leading clubs railing at the terms of what was on offer, the English Football League has closed its controversial domestic broadcasting rights deal with Sky Sports.

The new £595 million deal represents a 35% increase on the current arrangement and it will continue to see Sky Sports broadcast live the Sky Bet EFL, Carabao Cup, Checkatrade Trophy and Sky Bet Play-Offs through until May 2024.

Under the new agreement, each year, beginning from the start of the 2019/2020 season, Sky will broadcast 138 Sky Bet EFL League matches; the 15 Sky Bet EFL Play-Off matches including all three finals; 15 matches from the Carabao Cup including the final; the semi-final and final of the Checkatrade Trophy.

Recognising the concerns of the leading clubs in its Championship, English football’s the second tier under the Premier League, the EFL stressed that the deal has been designed to maximise both the financial return and exposure for all 72 member clubs, the EFL and its competitions. It additionally asserted that the deal also ensures that all EFL Clubs are in a position to develop their own direct-to-consumer (DTC) offerings to supporters who reside in the UK and Ireland. Making the negotiating situation complex was that leading Championship team Leeds United is owned by Eleven Sports owner Andrea Radrizzani.

“Having fully considered the matter, its implications and any associated risks, the EFL Board is satisfied that the right deal for the EFL and its Clubs has been reached,” commented EFL interim chair Debbie Jevans. “Concluding these negotiations has indeed been challenging, as is the case when managing a diverse group of stakeholders, and the Board took on board the comments and frustrations voiced by a number of clubs and has committed to reviewing the way the League engages with its clubs to ensure that we move forward in a collaborative way in the future. The Board looks forward to continuing the excellent relationship and partnership it has with Sky Sports.”