Football: Blackstone no longer wants Bundesliga media rights

football
Blackstone no longer wants Bundesliga media rights

The US financial investor Blackstone is withdrawing from the bidding process for the media rights Bundesliga back. The German Football League (DFL) confirmed a corresponding report from the Bloomberg news agency upon request.

“For various reasons,” the Blackstone company “is no longer considered as a strategic marketing partner for the Bundesliga and 2nd Bundesliga,” said a DFL statement.

The DFL and the clubs were always aware “that the key points and red lines adopted in December place high demands on potential partners,” the statement continued. However, given the ongoing process, “no details” will be discussed. There were “good conversations”.

CVC last contender for percentage shareholding

The DFL also confirmed that only the investment company CVC was the last contender for a percentage stake in a subsidiary to exploit the media rights. “The further process will continue with CVC according to the planned schedule,” it said. The DFL hopes to receive one billion euros from a financial investor to share in the TV revenue.

Bloomberg had previously reported that Blackstone was also abandoning its plans to join because it was feared that the process would drag on too long due to the hesitation of some clubs. The ongoing protests from fans are also said to have an influence on Blackstone withdrawing.

Active fan scenes have been protesting for months

The contract with the strategic marketing partner should be concluded before the national TV rights are put out to tender. The auction for this is planned for mid-April. The DFL recently reduced the number of applicants little by little to two companies, now only one of them remains.

The active fan scenes have been protesting against the DFL’s plans for months. In a vote by the 36 professional clubs last December, the necessary two-thirds majority was only barely achieved.

dpa