Broadcasters Sky Sports, TNT, and Premier Sports reject coverage for England Rugby's match against USA Test
Whiff of a Blackout: England's Summer Showdown Against USA Rugby May Go Untelevised
Could be a Tough Summer for Rugby Fans as Broadcasters Snub USA Game
It seems there might be a catch for rugby enthusiasts in England, as none of the major broadcasters – Sky Sports, TNT Sports, or Premier Sports – have shown interest in broadcasting the summer Test match against the USA.
This potential TV blackout comes after Sky Sports secured the rights for the first two tests of England's summer tour in Argentina, leaving the USA game without a broadcast partner. With the BBC and ITV also declining to bid for such a one-off game, event organizers USA Rugby find themselves in a tricky spot.
World Rugby is rumored to step in and stream the game on their fan platform, RugbyPass, but don't expect to see it on linear television. Instead, fans who sign up for RugbyPass will get to watch the game for free – a move that World Rugby believes will help promote the sport while also serving as a valuable investment.
Hold on Tight, Forest Owner May Take Control
Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is threatening to reclaim control of the club if they fail to qualify for the Champions League. With his shares in a blind trust to comply with UEFA's rules on multi-club ownership, Marinakis has put the club's future in limbo should they miss out on Europe's premier club competition.
In the event of Forest not qualifying, Marinakis would regain control of the club. Meanwhile, his Olympiacos team is already guaranteed a spot in the Champions League league phase, ensuring there's no need for a blind trust arrangement in that case.
TNT Sports Stakes a Claim on Rugby Premiership
TNT Sports is reportedly set to stake claim on a five-year deal worth £200m, giving it exclusive live rights to England's Gallagher Premiership. With each year's rights fee set to increase, reaching an estimated £40m in the final season, the deal will provide much-needed funds for the cash-strapped Premiership clubs.
Although TNT has held Premiership rights since 2013, the new contract will see the coverage continue until the end of the 2031-32 season. All 93 Premiership matches have been made available for the first time this season, with TNT also holding live rights to Premiership Women's Rugby. Coverage kicks off with Leicester vs Sale on Friday night, followed by four more games on Saturday and Sunday.
Relevent Sports Sets Sights on London
In a strategic move, Relevent Sports is eyeing London with plans to open a new office and undertake a significant recruitment drive after winning the contract to sell commercial rights for all Uefa men's club competitions between 2027 and 2033. With a focus on enhancing their European presence, Relevent will likely target current Team Marketing staff to join their ranks.
While the new venture will undoubtedly bolster Relevent's presence in Europe, it remains to be seen if this move will further solidify their hopes of cracking the US market.
WTA Eyes Joint Venture with ATP
The Women's Tennis Association is looking to kick-start talks with the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) to form a joint commercial operation called Tennis Ventures. This partnership would allow both organizations to manage their commercial rights, with the WTA eager to close the deal swiftly due to financial considerations.
Stemming from a 20% investment by private equity firm CVC Capital Partners two years ago, the WTA is now on the hunt for new investment opportunities, potentially making the joint venture an attractive option. The ATP has offered the WTA a 20% stake in the venture, and while negotiations were initially stalled, recent reports indicate that they may settle for that share to push the deal through.
- The potential absence of the USA rugby game from linear television may leave rugby fans in England disappointed, as ITV, along with Sky Sports, TNT Sports, Premier Sports, and BBC, have all likely overlooked the one-off event.
- World Rugby's fan platform, RugbyPass, might serve as the only broadcast partner for the summer Test match against the USA, making fans who subscribe to the service the likely audience for the game.
- ATP might be a key partner for the Women's Tennis Association, as talks for a joint commercial operation named Tennis Ventures seem to be on the table. The WTA is eager to move forward with such a venture due to financial considerations.
- Meanwhile, Relevent Sports' ambitious plans include opening a new office in London, with the aim of increasing their European presence through a recruitment drive and a focus on Team Marketing staff. This move is expected to further solidify their attempts to infiltrate the US market.
