Bundesliga TV Rights: DFL Relaunches Auction After Dispute with Dazn
Background of the Dispute
The German Football League (DFL) and the streaming service Dazn have been locked in a legal battle over the Bundesliga TV rights since 2021. Dazn had initially secured the rights for the 2021-2025 seasons for approximately €4.6 billion, but the company later filed a lawsuit against the DFL, alleging that the league had breached the contract by selling additional rights to other broadcasters.
In March 2023, a court ruled in favor of the DFL, dismissing Dazn's claims. However, the legal proceedings have delayed the start of the auction process for the next Bundesliga TV rights cycle, which begins in the 2025-2026 season.
Details of the Relaunched Auction
The DFL has announced that it will restart the auction process for the Bundesliga TV rights on April 20, 2023. The auction will be open to all interested parties, including broadcasters, streaming services, and telecommunications companies.
The DFL has divided the rights into six packages, each of which includes the rights to broadcast a specific number of matches per season. The packages are as follows:
- Package 1: 30 live matches per season
- Package 2: 30 live matches per season
- Package 3: 30 live matches per season
- Package 4: 6 live matches per season
- Package 5: 6 live matches per season
- Package 6: 6 live matches per season
Interested parties can bid on one or more packages. The DFL will award the rights to the highest bidders for each package.
Implications for Bundesliga Clubs
The outcome of the auction will have a significant impact on the finances of Bundesliga clubs. The TV rights are a major source of revenue for the clubs, and the amount of money they receive will determine their ability to invest in players and infrastructure.
The clubs are hoping that the relaunched auction will result in higher bids than the previous auction, which was held in 2021. However, it is also possible that the ongoing economic uncertainty could lead to lower bids.
Conclusion
The relaunch of the Bundesliga TV rights auction is a significant development for the German football landscape. The outcome of the auction will have a major impact on the finances of Bundesliga clubs and the future of broadcasting in Germany.
