UEFA and ECA announce joint venture to manage TV rights

UEFA and the European Clubs Association have created a new system to jointly manage TV rights and distribute revenue from European competitions. The news was made official today, following a meeting of the ECA in Milan earlier this morning, chaired by PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi.

The new company will be based in Switzerland and will aim to involve the clubs more closely in the allocation of rights related to UEFA competitions.

A statement from the ECA (as quoted by IlNapolista) reads:

“The ECA plays a primary role in supporting UEFA in the negotiations. We are talking about €4.6/4.8 billion for the next cycle, which shows that European football is of great interest. Many sponsors want to reach this industry, the European football product is the best in the world.

“Today the first theme is solidarity for the people affected by the earthquake in Turkey, there will be several initiatives, also with individual clubs. Solidarity also in the distribution of proceeds, even for clubs that do not participate in competitions. We would not call it solidarity, but investment for football.”

“It is important for Italy to host an event of this importance. Being here in Milan with the ECA, the board and discussing strategic issues for European football in the coming years is fundamental, also for Italian football. In fact, there will soon be several elections to be held during the year, the renewal of FIFA and UEFA offices and also the ECA presidency. The intention is then to broaden the membership of ECA, which in the end is the only real association of clubs that represent the interests of clubs within world football, and the goal is to have an association that is as broad and democratic as possible.”