Bundesliga Revisits Media Rights Sale

German soccer’s governing body is reportedly set to resume discussions on selling a stake in a new media rights subsidiary.

The DFL, which is expected to agree on the talks at a meeting in early February, will consider both domestic and international rights, according to Bloomberg. Conversations were reportedly hindered late last year by the departure of CEO Donata Hopfen. 

• The size of a potential stake, structure, or timeline has not been decided. 
• In August, Bloomberg reported that the DFL was considering selling up to 20% for a package — which could be worth $18 billion — as well as loans or other strategic investment ideas.

Advent International, Blackstone Inc., CVC Capital Partners, and KKR & Co. are reportedly interested in investing in the DFL, which oversees Germany’s top two Bundesliga divisions.

In 2021, the DFL terminated plans to sell a 25% stake in its overseas broadcasting rights following pushback from clubs.

Media Mania

Several other top leagues have sold stakes in media arms in the past couple of years.

In 2022, Ligue 1 sold a 13% stake of its media rights business to CVC Capital in a deal worth $1.65 billion. In 2021, La Liga entered into a $2.3 billion deal for an 8.2% stake in a new company holding the league’s media rights.