Turkey’s Super Lig moves closer to new rights model

Turkey’s top-tier football competition, the Super Lig, has moved a step closer to launching a new media rights model after the Turkish Union of Clubs organisation reached an outline agreement on the proposal, according to the Turkish Football news website.

“We have reached an agreement-in-principle regarding the future of our league,” Turkish Union of Clubs president Halil Ünal said following a meeting of representatives from all 18 Super Lig teams. “The 18 Super Lig (clubs) will own the rights of the league.”

The Super Lig’s current rights model allows for 35 per cent of the total income to be distributed equally amongst clubs, while 45 per cent is distributed based on performance and 10 per cent is allocated to national governing body the Turkish Football Federation.

The TFF would cease to receive broadcasting revenues under the new system, which would aim to ensure a more equitable spread of income between the top clubs in Istanbul and those located in the rest of the country.

The federation’s most recent rights auction for the Super Lig was undertaken in January 2010 and generated $374.7m (€281.7m) per year for the 2010-11 to 2013-14 seasons. Digital satellite broadcaster Digitürk holds the live rights to the league, with state broadcaster TRT holding the highlights rights.