Bt Sport Relinquishes UFC And NBA Rights
BT Sport has confirmed that it has stepped away from negotiations to retain its UK and Ireland broadcast rights to the NBA and UFC ultimate fighting championships.
The telecoms giant says it is unwilling to pay “more than the rights are worth to us,” as it continues to focus on its core football and rugby content, as well as on “broadcast innovation,” especially in the area of 5G.
The company, which holds both Premier League and UEFA Champions League rights, entered the UK broadcast sport market with great fanfare five years ago, aggressively acquiring rights from traditional players.
However, it has recently come under pressure from investors over its spending on sports rights, which reportedly played a role in the departure of chief executive Gavin Paterson, announced last month.
BT’s move comes as Eleven Sports prepares to launch in the UK next week, having already snatched rights to Serie A football away from BT.
Many in the industry believe the Aser company has also secured a UFC deal, adding to a rights portfolio that includes LaLiga and the PGA Championships in addition to Serie A.
Last week, global sports provider Eleven revealed ex-NBA and UFC staffer Scott Fenton as its new head of marketing and communications in the UK.
BT Sport will continue to broadcast NBA games until October, and UFC until the end of the year.
Image: ©Getty Images
