The MP & Silva agency has said three international broadcasters are in contention for the rights to the Pro League, the top division of Belgian football.
The league in February appointed MP & Silva as its worldwide media adviser in a six-year deal, from 2014-15 to 2019-20.
Pay-television broadcasters Telenet and Belgacom both have rights for the league in the current three-year cycle, from 2011-12 to 2013-14.
MP & Silva chief executive Andrea Radrizzani said talks over a new contract with Belgian broadcast partners have proved difficult, adding that a tender for the rights will be launched in the coming days ahead of an expected decision over a deal around May 10.
“The local players no longer want exclusivity, unlike in other countries where we operate,” Radrizzani said, according to Belgian newspaper De Tijd. “This is worrying and eventually detrimental to the quality of the Belgian league. By contrast, there are three international players who are interested in exclusive rights.”
Radrizzani did not disclose the identity of the three international broadcasters, adding: “I can only say that there is a usual suspect amongst the three.”