The government is thought unlikely to reject the “populist” recommendations to extend the list in the lead-up to the election. Extending the list would have repercussions on almost all rights-holders. Public-service broadcaster the BBC is already facing budget cuts of up to 15-20 per cent and an expanded list would force it to spread its sports budget over a greater number of events.
A review panel last year recommended adding to the existing list home and away competitive football matches of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, cricket’s Ashes series, Wales home rugby union matches and the entirety of the rugby World Cup, the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championship and the Open golf championship.