Target set for Süper Lig broadcasting tender

The new tender process for broadcasting rights in the Süper Lig will gain momentum before the season ends. As the current broadcasting contract is set to expire at the end of the season, the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) and the clubs are expected to conduct a joint study to determine the terms of the new period.

The priority for the clubs is not to leave the tender until the final weeks. Since the tender can be held six months before the expiration of the current contract as per regulations, they want the results to be finalized in January or February. This is intended to allow clubs to prepare their new season budgets, transfer plans, and financial programs with knowledge of their broadcasting revenue.

The first step in the process is expected to be the establishment of a commission consisting of TFF and club representatives. It is stated that the commission will prepare the specifications and put topics such as contract duration, payment schedule, guarantees, digital rights, international broadcasts, and package structure on the table.

In the new model, selling broadcasting rights in separate items rather than as a single package is also on the agenda. Putting live match broadcasts, highlights, digital broadcasting rights, international broadcasts, and other audiovisual rights up for tender in separate packages is being evaluated among the options for revenue growth.

According to a report by Türkiye Gazetesi, clubs do not find the current annual 187 million dollar deal sufficient. While this amount is expressed as approximately 158 million euros, the target stated for the new period is at the level of 400 million euros annually. If this target is reached, there will be an increase of over 100 percent in broadcasting revenues.

Examples from Europe are also among the factors shaping the clubs' expectations. In a table where the Premier League's annual broadcasting revenue is at 1.956 billion euros, the Bundesliga's at 1.121 billion euros, LaLiga's at 990 million euros, Serie A's at 900 million euros, and Ligue 1's at 412 million euros, it is seen that the Süper Lig's current revenue remains behind these leagues.

Increasing competition in the tender is also seen as critical for the clubs. In addition to the current broadcaster beIN Sports, it is stated that the Saran Group, which has also been mentioned in past tenders, may show more interest in the process this time. It is assessed that potential competition could be decisive for the clubs' 400 million euro target.

Higher figures had also been on the agenda for Süper Lig broadcasting rights in the past. When the central pool system began with Cine5 in 1996, the first season's fee was 40 million dollars. In the 2010 tender, the total of the bids given for different packages reached 374.7 million dollars, and the peak was seen in the tender covering the 2017-2022 period with 500 million dollars plus VAT annually.