By Andrew Warshaw
January 27 – The increasingly powerful Middle East broadcaster Al Jazeera has signed a new four year agreement with the French Football League (LFP), cementing the region’s involvement with French football.
The station has struck two domestic deals, reported to be worth €240 million (£200 million/$315 million), just months after the Qatar Investment Authority purchased Paris Saint-Germain, with the club soaring to the top of the French league thanks to a huge investment in players.
Qatar’s increasingly lucrative partnership with France follows UEFA President Michel Platini’s admission that he voted for the tiny Gulf state to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The LFP said in a statement that Al Jazeera had acquired rights for an additional six live league games per round on a pay-per-view basis, as well as a weekly football television show.
No financial details were given, although French newspaper L’Équipe reported that the deal was worth €240 million.
Al Jazeera has already has bought the international rights to screen LFP games and French rights to show the Champions League for three seasons.
Plus it has Middle East and North African rights for the Champions League.
Contact the writer of this story at zib.l1734799753labto1734799753ofdlr1734799753owedi1734799753sni@w1734799753ahsra1734799753w.wer1734799753dna1734799753
Related stories
December 2011: Al Jazeera buy French rights to broadcast UEFA Champions League