Optus and Google interested in Australian sports rights

Australian telecommunications company Optus and internet company Google have expressed an interest in acquiring premium digital sports rights in the country, according to The Australian newspaper.

The report said that Optus chief executive Allen Lew has confirmed that the company will bid for the digital rights to Australian Football League Aussie rules matches.

The newspaper added that Google has been in talks with several Australian codes with regard to forming joint ventures under which matches and highlights could be shown on video-sharing website YouTube. Google’s offer is “preliminary,” the report said, and would feature non-exclusive rights in a revenue-sharing arrangement.

“We have to start to get involved in digital media of various sorts and I think sports-rights is one,” Lew said. “So, yes, we'll be looking at it, but we'll be looking at it in a hard-nosed [way] and what are the advantages it brings us in this market and… strategically how it fits in with how we want to be in the eyes of our customers.”

With regard to the reports of Google’s interest, Lew added: “I'm glad the AFL is starting to look at its mobile rights in a way that doesn't have to go to a platform provider. Going to customers direct is now a global trend and of course with everybody now connected via broadband networks it means you don't really need to go through an intermediary.”

Rights for the AFL and the National Rugby League, the top division of rugby league in Australia, will be put on the market in the coming months.