Amazon, Facebook target LaLiga rights – report

Internet company Amazon and social media platform Facebook are interested in acquiring rights to LaLiga, the top division of Spanish football, according to El Confidencial.

The Spanish newspaper, citing financial sources, said the two companies are interested in participating in LaLiga’s next tender process, with rights set to be on offer from the 2019-20 season onwards.

El Confidencial said Javier Tebas confirmed the interest from Amazon and Facebook, with the LaLiga president adding: “We listen to everyone.”

Speaking last week, Tebas said the organisation which oversees the top two divisions of Spanish club football expects to earn €2.3bn ($2.66bn) per year from its broadcast rights within three seasons, adding that the organisation can now look to take its rights to market as the political situation in Catalonia has improved.

LaLiga currently generates around €1bn per season for its domestic rights, and a further €650m from the international market. Tebas, speaking at a Europa Press gathering, said that new contracts should bring in around €1.3bn per season for domestic rights and €1bn for overseas, if negotiations progress smoothly.

Rights deals for European markets will be sold on a three-season basis, with LaLiga set to be flexible in its approach for the rest of the world. The new deals are expected to be phased in between two and three seasons from now.