Russian broadcasters Channel One, VGTRK and Match TV have submitted a joint bid for the rights to football’s 2018 Fifa World Cup, which will take place in the country.
The package of rights also includes the 2017 Confederations Cup in Russia – Fifa’s dress rehearsal tournament ahead of the World Cup.
The offer submitted by state broadcasters Russia One and VGTRK, and pay-television broadcaster Match TV, is “lower than $100m,” according to Russia One general producer Alexander Fayfman.
Vitaly Mutko, the president of the Russian Football Union, said in November that the initial $32m (€30m) asking price for the rights had rocketed to $100m.
Fayfman told the Tass news agency that the undisclosed offer had been tabled with a view to covering costs through advertising.
Fayfman added that a planned meeting with Fifa last week was postponed by the governing body, but further talks are expected to take place in Moscow.