The sale of television rights is the prime source of revenue for footballing organisations worldwide, but is particularly critical to Africa. Yet the Confederation of African Football (Caf) keeps making headlines for sacking its broadcasting partners. It faces potential litigation for recently terminating a US$415 million deal with the Qatari-based beIN Sports, the second TV contract in four years that the governing body of African football has unilaterally scrapped. We asked sport communications and media expert Chuka Onwumechili to unpack why this is happening and what impact it has.
How important are TV rights to African football?
TV rights are particularly critical because alternative commercial revenues such as sponsorships and merchandising are more limited in Africa.
