Bundesliga: Saudi Arabia interested in TV rights (from 2020-21) for the MENA region (press)

Saudi Arabia is in discussions with the DFL for the acquisition of Bundesliga broadcasting rights in the MENA region, for its television network KSA Sports, starting from the 2020-21 season, according to information from the British newspaper Financial Times on 25/06/2020.

These rights are currently held by the Qatari pay-TV group beIN Media Group for an estimated $250m (€222m) over the 2015-2020 cycle, or $50m (€44m) per season, according to the Financial Times.

"The Bundesliga approached Saudi. Not the other way around. They have launched their new sales cycle and so are wanting to speak to as many potential buyers as possible," said a Saudi official, according to comments by the British newspaper.

beIN Media Group has been in conflict with Saudi Arabia for the past three years due to the pirate entity beoutQ. The WTO called on Saudi Arabia to comply with intellectual property rules in a report published on 16/06/2020. The DFL, along with other rights holders, has repeatedly announced that it cannot file a complaint in Saudi Arabia against this entity, which was confirmed by the…