According to Reuters, the Italian top flight, Serie A, has begun the sale of its international broadcasting licenses.
The league announced on Monday that it had approved deals in eight minor European markets, including Portugal, Hungary, and the Netherlands.
In a statement released by the league, it was revealed that Serie A had initiated a process in June to sell its international broadcasting rights for upcoming seasons. This move marks a significant step in expanding Serie A's global reach and visibility.
However, while the contracts have been approved, no financial details were disclosed.
According to two sources familiar with the matter, these deals are estimated to be worth around 20 million euros annually. This accounts for approximately 100 million euros ($109.07 million) over a span of five seasons.
Serie A looking to expand outside of Europe
The Italian league also mentioned in the statement that they would continue this process to cover other territories across Europe and beyond. This indicates Serie A's commitment to making Italian football accessible to fans worldwide.
Serie A previously secured around 700 million euros from selling overseas TV rights during the 2021-2024 period. Despite being an impressive figure, it only amounts to a ninth of what England's Premier League earned abroad from similar sales - highlighting the English top flight as currently the world's most lucrative domestic soccer competition.
Last month saw another major stride for Serie A as they completed the sale of their domestic licenses for upcoming seasons. They secured an impressive five-year deal worth 4.5 billion euros with video streaming service DAZN and Sky Italia.
The Italian top flight looking to stay cutting edge
This move not only solidifies Serie A's position domestically but also signals their intent on capitalizing on digital platforms' popularity among sports fans.
With these strategic moves both domestically and internationally, Serie A is clearly focused on expanding its reach and increasing its revenues.
By selling international broadcasting rights and partnering with popular streaming services, they are aiming to bring Italian football to a wider audience. As the process continues, football fans will be hoping that they will get better and cheaper options to follow Serie A in the years to come.
