Spanish public broadcaster RTVE has acquired the exclusive rights to broadcast the newly-created Mapfre League tennis tournament in Spain.
RTVE will now broadcast a minimum of five live matches from the four events which will take place in July and August.
Spain’s Higher Sports Council will oversee the running of the tournament, which has secured sponsorship from Spanish insurance firm Mapfre.
The Spanish Tennis Federation (RFET) created the four-event league in light of sweeping cancellations across the ATP Tour and WTA Tour calendars due to the prolonged effect of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The RFET recently created a €600,000 ($658,800) fund to stage events that support Spanish tennis players. The bulk of that fund will be earmarked to support players who are placed between 90 and 500 in the ATP and WTA world rankings.
The first tournament will be held on July 10 in Lleida with further events in Madrid, Alacante and Avilés.
RTVE’s rights portfolio has been ravaged due to the Covid-19 pandemic with events including the Tour de France, the Veulta a España and rights to the Spanish national football team’s friendly matches all having been postponed to stymie the virus’ spread.
