Pitch International

The stream of top-tier properties to be sold in sub-Saharan Africa later this year is making life difficult for the IMG and Pitch International agencies, each of which has English cup competitions for sale.

Second-round bids for Portuguese Primeira Liga international rights have once again fallen below Sport TV’s expectations, despite a five-way agency shootout.

The Portuguese Primeira Liga’s international rights have been tendered for the first time, attracting interest from multiple global sports-rights agencies.

Spanish public-service broadcaster TVE surprised the market with deals for English FA Cup and Club World Cup rights this month.

England’s Football Association told TV Sports Markets this week that its strategy of opening up FA Cup international rights by running a single tender was vindicated by its deals with the IMG and Pitch International agencies.

Scottish Rugby earned an increase of more than 70 per cent by selling international rights to its autumn Test matches directly to the Pitch International agency, without offering them to the market.

England’s Football Association is set to break the billion-dollar barrier for its international media rights, excluding the UK, in deals agreed this week with the IMG and Pitch International agencies, TV Sports Markets understands.

The Rushmans consultancy has agreed a deal to market the broadcast rights and advertising inventory for next month’s national team football friendly between Cuba and the United States.

Scottish Rugby has extended its deal with the Pitch International agency for the distribution of global rights to Scottish national team Autumn Test matches.

The Pitch International agency this month acquired Formula One and LaLiga rights as part of a move to create a new in-flight offering, TV Sports Markets understands.

England’s Football League has opted to renew its international rights deal with the Pitch International agency, TV Sports Markets understands.

The Pitch International agency has agreed a deal with UK pay-television broadcaster Sky under which the two companies will market the English national rugby union team’s international rights.

Cricket Australia will take a more flexible approach to its rights sales when its global advisory deal with the IMG Events & Media agency expires after the 2015-16 season.

RCS Media Group, the parent company of Italy’s Gazzetta TV channel, bought exclusive live rights to this month’s Copa América.

London-based digital media company Copa90 has agreed a strategic partnership with the Pitch International agency.

Pitch International has appointed Guy Le Grew, the former head of the agency’s Asia-Pacific division, to the new role as head of North America.