Top Turkish Soccer League Re-Ups with BeIN Sports

After negotiations filled with conflict, the top-flight Turkish soccer league has agreed to a new media rights deal.

The Turkish Süper Lig and the second level TFF 1. Lig’s broadcast rights will continue to be held exclusively by BeIN Sports and its subsidiary, Digiturk. 

• The two-year deal is reportedly worth just under $370 million per season. 
• BeIN can broadcast matches internationally on its other networks or sell the rights in territories where it doesn’t have coverage.

BeIN and the Turkish Football Federation agreed to a five-year exclusive deal worth $2.5 billion in 2016, which was to run through the 2021-22 season. BeIN renegotiated the most recent season down to $370 million from $500 million.

Tricky Talks

While Digiturk has been the exclusive broadcaster of the two leagues for more than 20 years, the relationship appeared close to ending earlier this year.

BeIN declined to renew its previous contract, allowing the rights to go to an open auction. The Turkish Football Federation was reportedly prepared to accept an offer from the Saran Group of $150 million for half its matches.

Last year, Ali Koc, the president of Turkish Süper Lig team Fenerbahce, stoked tensions by accusing BeIN of purposefully hurting his team by manipulating replays on their way to the video assistant referee.