Sky Closes In On Super League Deal

Sky Sports is set to sign an extension to its broadcast deal with the Rugby Football League (RFL) to televise the sport until 2016.

According to media reports the deal to extend Sky’s partnership is near completion, with the current deal set to end at the end of the season.

The new deal is proposed for five years, and will replace the current three-year deal, and is believed to be worth up to £90m.

Currently Sky is allowed to broadcast two live games each weekend, on Fridays and Saturdays, along with the League Grand Final and other one-off events – with the new deal expected to closely reflect the existing contract.

A formal announcement is not expected for two or three week as the finer details of the agreement are still being negotiated, however, the RFL would not confirm that a deal had been arranged with Sky.

An RFL spokesman said: ‘The negotiations that are ongoing with all broadcasters remain very positive and we are hopeful of something coming in the near future’.

The expected five-year deal would extend the Super League’s stay on Sky to 21 years, making it one of the broadcaster’s longest running competitions.