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Esports, gaming and media company Galaxy Racer is close to securing exclusive rights to Spain’s LaLiga and France’s Ligue 1 in India, SportBusiness understands.
It is thought that the Dubai-based company is also in advanced talks to acquire rights to Italy’s Serie A in the country.
Local sources say Galaxy Racer intends to set up an OTT service in India to exploit its rights.
From 2021-22 to 2023-24, rights to LaLiga, Ligue 1 and Serie A were all held by media group Viacom18 in agreements covering the Indian subcontinent.
The LaLiga deal, once finalised, would not be the first collaboration between the league and the organisation. In 2022, LaLiga and Galaxy Racer formed a 15-year joint venture designed to transform LaLiga’s presence in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena), plus the Indian subcontinent.
However, it is understood this relationship only covers sponsorship and partnerships, and not media rights brokering. This differentiates it from some of LaLiga’s other joint ventures, notably its agreement with Relevent Sports Group covering North America.
Galaxy Racer claims it has over 100 content creators, over 500 million followers, and generates over 2.5 billion monthly views. The company was founded in 2019 by Paul Roy.
Its five main verticals are: competitive esports teams, content creators, content and events production, consumer goods, as well as a record label, GXR Records.
The move would mark a significant change of direction in the market for all three leagues, which, alongside targeting strong rights fees, have previously prioritised exposure through linear broadcast distribution by agreeing deals with major media groups.
However, streaming is an increasingly prominent means of distribution in Indian sports media.
OTT platform FanCode, owned by fantasy platform Dream Sports, has secured rights to multiple properties in India which do not have a linear broadcast agreement, including Formula 1 in 2024 and 2025. Viacom18, meanwhile, acquired exclusive domestic streaming rights to the Indian Premier League from 2023 to 2027 rather than linear rights.
Values of rights to international football leagues have generally declined in India over recent cycles. Rights-holders have struggled to generate strong competition among broadcasters for all but major cricket properties as well as top-tier properties with broad global appeal, such as the Premier League.
Media group Disney Star holds Premier League rights in India from 2022-23 to 2024-25.
Competition for most non-cricket rights has also reduced due to consolidation in the market. Disney Star and Reliance Industries, majority owner of Viacom18, in February announced the merger of their Indian television and streaming assets.
Meanwhile, rival media group Sony Pictures Networks, which has previously held rights to European football leagues, is understood to have held talks to acquire LaLiga, Ligue 1 and Serie A rights but is seemingly content with its European club football portfolio. Earlier this year, Sony renewed its Uefa club competition rights. It also holds rights in the region to the German Bundesliga from 2023-24 to 2025-26.