The Fox International Channels broadcast division of media company 21st Century Fox has denied media reports that it is bidding for the domestic rights to the Ekstraklasa, the top division of football in Poland.
Kelly Butler, senior vice-president of Fox Sports Europe and Africa, told TV Sports Markets today (Wednesday) that FIC was “not currently involved in the process.”
It is understood that Fox had initially bid for the rights for six years, from 2015-16 to 2020-21.
However, after several months of negotiations with the MP & Silva agency, the Ekstraklasa’s adviser for domestic and international media rights, the two parties could not find an agreement.
Local market insiders expect the live rights to end up being shared between incumbent live rights-holder Canal Plus and pan-European sports broadcaster Eurosport. Canal Plus shows coverage through the NC Plus platform. Pay-television operator Polsat is also thought to be still involved in the process.
FIC had planned to launch a Fox Sports channel in the country but the market is not now thought to be a priority for the European roll-out of its sports channels.