February 18 – KAA Gent has signed up to the Belgian broadcast deal with Eleven Sports, leaving Antwerp as the only club to oppose the agreement for the country’s domestic TV rights.
Last week, the Belgian Pro League awarded the new TV rights deal to Eleven Sports for a record €103 million in a five-year deal, but both clubs refused to back the offer, even if it was a significant increase on the current deal which is worth about €80 million.
The agreement is subject to the approval by all the Pro League’s clubs. Gent had initially rejected the offer arguing that ‘exclusivity was undervalued in the offer’, but they are now “convinced that solidarity is necessary and essential.”
The decision prevents the club from selling the rights to their own home games separately. “We welcome the accord of KAA Gent,” said Pro League president Peter Croonen. “This is fully in line with the DNA of this club, which has always been a strong supporter of solidarity.”
Antwerp remain as the only club to still reject the offer, saying they are not getting their fair share of the cake. Talks between Antwerp and the Pro League are still ongoing.
Antwerp believe that they are a part of the top five clubs. The criteria to determine that select group of elite clubs range from commercial impact to TV audiences.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1735103187labto1735103187ofdlr1735103187owedi1735103187sni@t1735103187catno1735103187c1735103187