Telefónica scores €600m La Liga deal

Telefónica has struck a €600 million (US$664.8 million) deal with Spain’s La Liga to secure pay TV rights to top-flight Spanish football for the 2015-16 season.

The deal gives Telefónica exclusive rights to the Liga BBVA, Liga Adelante and Copa del Rey matches, except the final.

In selling the rights for the next season only, rather than a deal that covers the next three years, La Liga followed the recommendation of the country’s competition regulator, the CNMC.

The watchdog is keen to loosen the grip of the two broadcasters that hold rights to club matches, Telefónica and Mediapro, and postponed the auction of rights to the 2016-17 season until later this year.

With the €600 million price tag largely in line with previous deals, La Liga hopes to secure a boost from the sale of international rights, having rejected Telefónica’s bid of €1.35 billion as insufficient. The Spanish Football Association has agreed to appoint Mediapro as international agent for the rights.