The Optima Sports Management International agency has announced its acquisition of free-to-air rights in Nigeria to the 2014 World Cup in a deal with Fifa, world football’s governing body.
The agreement comprises television and mobile rights, and includes other Fifa tournaments including the 2014 U-17 Women’s World Cup and 2014 U-20 Women’s World Cup.
The contract also included the men’s 2013 Confederations Cup, 2013 U-20 World Cup and 2013 U-17 World Cup.
The deal was first reported by TV Sports Markets in April this year (TV Sports Markets 17:7).
Osmi chief executive Rotimi Pedro, quoted by the OGTV website, said the agency would be seeking deals with free-to-air broadcasters: “We can’t afford to disenfranchise Nigerians as the majority of them still watch free television. It (the World Cup) is indeed available to all broadcasters…we are, however, open for discussion on redistribution of the content.”
Nigeria qualified comfortably for the 2014 tournament, which is being hosted by Brazil. Nigeria was one of two teams, along with the Ivory Coast, to remain unbeaten throughout the African qualifying campaign.