Arena Sport buys Serbian domestic football rights

The Football Association of Serbia agreed a three-year rights deal with Telekom Srbija that will allow the Serbian telecommunications company’s pay-television broadcaster, Arena Sport, to show live coverage of the country’s top-flight Superliga and Serbian Cup knockout competition.

The agreement will give clubs a split of broadcast revenues based on their performance in the cup and final placing in the league.

“The strategy [for broadcasting the games] has been thoroughly prepared,” Arena Sport director Radisav Vulićević said. “This is a co-operation that aims to promote Serbian football clubs. We want fans to go to the stadia as well as watch football on television.”

Federation president Tomislav Karadzic said: “This is a new and effective way to reach Serbian football spectators. I believe this is just the first step in a better presentation and promotion of Serbian football.”

Under the deal, Telekom Serbia, which acquired TV Sports Arena in August 2011, will also be the title sponsor of the Serbian Cup for the next three seasons.