Norwegian clubs are at odds over the division of revenues from the new broadcast rights deal for the Tippeligaen, the top division of domestic football.
The Kampanje.com website said Bergen-based Brann has called for more money to be made available to top clubs such as itself, along with Rosenborg, Viking and Vålerenga, in an effort to shore up their finances.
However, Stig-Ove Sandnes, managing director of Vålerenga, said: “It is insane to pay a lot of money to Brann if they are relegated or are in the (second tier) OBOS-ligaen. They must perform athletically. It cannot be that because Brann has great potential, they will therefore have a lot of money.”
The Discovery Networks Norway division of international media company Discovery Communications last month acquired domestic rights to the Tippeligaen under a six-season deal running from 2017 to 2022.
Under the deal with the Norwegian Football Association and Norsk Toppfotball, Discovery’s channels will also show coverage of the second-tier OBOS-ligaen. Discovery Networks Norway operates channels such as Eurosport Norway, TVNorge and Max.
Tippeligaen broadcast revenues are currently split on a 50-50 basis, with half the money allocated evenly and the remaining 50 per cent paid out for sporting achievement. Talks over a new agreement are set to commence in the spring.