EFL opts against extending Sky deal

The English Football League, which operates the three divisions below the top-tier Premier League, has decided against exercising an option to extend a domestic live rights deal with pay-television broadcaster Sky and will launch a tender process later this month.

The EFL said that it would launch a tender later this month, with ITT documents set to be distributed to the market no later than the week beginning June 19.

The EFL’s current agreement with Sky has two seasons left to run, but there was an option to extend the deal for the 2019-20 campaign.

The EFL board reached the decision following a “thorough and rigorous evaluation by broadcast advisors Oliver & Ohlbaum, in partnership with media-rights expert Phil Lines, who were appointed earlier this year to devise a broadcasting strategy that would maximise the financial return and exposure for all 72 member clubs, the EFL and its competitions.”

The EFL said that the research and analysis had included an assessment of consumer demand and an “understanding” of the appetite from UK broadcasters and media platforms, with the clubs supporting the move.