EXCLUSIVE: ISL set to sign Latin America, Israel broadcast deals

The new franchise-based International Swimming League is poised to sign media-rights deals in Latin America and Israel, SportBusiness Media understands.

In Latin America, two separate agreements with pay-television broadcasters Claro Sports and Globo are in the works. The former would cover 17 Spanish-speaking countries, while the latter covers Brazil.

The Israel talks are understood to be with pay-television broadcaster Charlton’s Sport 1 channel.

ISL announced on Monday a broadcast deal in Australia with commercial broadcaster Seven. In August, the franchise signed a deal with Eurosport covering Europe and the Asia-Pacific region (excluding Australia).

The seven-match ISL will feature teams from Hungary, Italy, the UK and USA and begins in Indianapolis on October 5. Following matches in Naples, Budapest, London and two more US venues, the inaugural competition will end at Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino from December 20 to 21.

The competition will involve eight teams – four from the United States and four from Europe – competing over two-day meets in a full program of events spanning 50m to 400m

The new series has been the subject of lengthy legal disputes between the organisers and Fina, swimming’s world body.