October 14 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has launched the media rights tender in Sub-Saharan Africa for its flagship men’s national team tournament, the Africa Cup of Nations to be played in Cameroon next year.
In a statement, CAF said: “The tender process will allow CAF to select the media companies that are best placed to achieve CAF’s objectives of providing maximum exposure for the tournament and offering fans in Sub-Saharan Africa a high-quality viewing experience.”
The tender includes the rights to the continental finals in Cameroon early next year as well as rights to a series of youth tournaments, the Champions League and the Women’s Champions League. The deadline for media companies to apply is November 2.
Current CAF president Patrice Motsepe, elected by acclamation last March with the backing of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, has repeatedly stressed the importance of good TV rights deals for the future and sustainability of both the ruling body and the African game at large. He has also claimed that broadcast partners have expressed serious interest in CAF’s proposed Super League.
Motsepe’s organisation is in dire need of money. The confederation ripped up a $1 billion television and marketing rights deal with France-based company Lagardere Sports and an audit by PwC suggested that tens of millions of dollars had been misappropriated at the governing body. The most recent PwC audit, circulated to the member associations in May, identified irregular, unethical and improper transactions and conduct.
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