Spanish Football League (LFP) president Javier Tebas has outlined a target of breaking the €1bn ($1.1bn) per season revenue barrier from its next media rights cycle, adding that the organisation is prepared for any potential lack of interest in certain packages being offered.
A tender process for domestic media rights across the three seasons spanning 2016-17 to 2018-19 was launched on Friday. The tender includes rights to the top-tier Liga, along with the second-tier Segunda División and Copa del Rey knockout competition.
The tender has been split into 10 packages with the deadline for bids having been set at 2pm Spanish time on December 2. A provisional allocation of rights is expected to be drawn up the following day.
Speaking at a meeting hosted by Spanish news agency Europa Press, Tebas (pictured) said that the goal is to exceed €1bn in annual revenue from the next rights cycle, adding that the LFP expects to meet the €2bn mark by the 2019-20 season. Tebas also rejected reports that the tender process will favour the Mediapro agency.
The LFP president added that the organisation is “ready for this situation” should certain rights packages fail to spark sufficient bids. He added that should this situation arise, a LaLiga channel could be formed offering the content to operators that are interested.
Telecommunications company Telefónica in July signed an agreement for the domestic pay-television rights to club football in the 2015-16 season. The €600m agreement granted Telefónica the exclusive exploitation rights to the top two divisions along with all pay-television rights for Copa del Rey matches.