Spanish telco Telefónica is still looking to sign licensing deals for its domestic rights to LaLiga football to help refinance its expenditure on the property, according to reports in local media.
Spanish newspaper El Economista reported that Telefónica had not been approached by any other party to licence broadcast rights. The telco holds the main bulk of live rights to the top two divisions of Spanish football from 2019-20 to 2021-22.
Fellow telco Orange is thought to be the most likely licensee, having acquired the rights to the 2018-19 season at a similarly late stage, while there are also suggestions OTT platform DAZN could make a late move following its launch in Spain in November 2018.
El Economista also reported that Telefónica is refusing to negotiate on its valuation of the LaLiga rights packages. The high price of domestic Spanish football rights has caused issues for Telefónica in the past, as evidenced by Vodafone baulking at the quoted price last July.
Telefónica holds the rights to three of LaLiga’s eight broadcasting packages covering the upcoming rights cycle, having acquired the rights to lots four and five in 2018 before buying a third package later that same year.
Spain-based agency Mediapro holds the rights to the remaining five lots.