Italy’s Top Soccer League Considering Sky Italia Bid

Serie A is reportedly considering a takeover of Sky Italia.

Italy’s top-flight soccer league is interested in utilizing the Comcast-owned broadcaster’s infrastructure, organization, and customer base to build its own TV channel, according to La Stampa.

The reports surfaced as the league’s top 20 clubs met with Serie A on Monday to discuss outside investment in the league’s media business, but didn’t come to a decision.

“The proposals received from funds and banks were set out to the clubs, who have given themselves time to evaluate the serious options,” said Lorenzo Casini, Serie A chairman.

JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Barclays, and Citi are all reportedly interested in partnering with the league to bid for Sky. 

The clubs will meet again at the end of the month.

Casini said “there is nothing concrete on the table at the moment” for a possible investment in Sky Italia, which is estimated to have roughly 4.2 million customers in Italy. 

Reuters reported that Serie A made a “preliminary analysis of a potential transaction,” including taking a majority stake in Sky Italia or part of its operations.

The league is expected to invite applications for domestic broadcasting rights starting with the 2024-25 season later this year. Sky Italia currently shows three matches per week, and the league’s main rights holder DAZN is available on the platform.