Sports streaming giant Dazn is reportedly interested in buying rights to show every EFL game in a bid to remove the 3pm 'blackout' in the UK.
Dazn, based in London, and Viaplay are up against Sky Sports and BT Sport in a bid to televise games in the English lower leagues from 2024-25. Currently Sky, who have held the EFL rights since 2002, show 138 games a season. With new players in the market the price of the contract in the future is set to rise with clubs further down the leagues set to benefit greatly from new income.
Leagues across the UK apply Article 48 of the UEFA Statutes which prevents any live broadcast of games between 2:45pm and 5:15pm on Saturday afternoons. Dazn is keen to scrap the article and show every game in the EFL live on its platform. So, how does the Dazn's approach compare with the SPFL's new contract signed last year?
How many games will be shown?
In the new SPFL deal signed in September last year, Premiership clubs approved an agreement which will increase the amount of games shown from 2025 from 48 to 60 per season. Included in the deal was a commitment from Sky to show women's domestic game this season.
Speaking at the time of the announcement SPFL CEO Neil Doncaster said: "This announcement represents a major financial boost for our 42 member clubs at a time when the UK economy is facing significant headwinds, and will increase the exposure of Europe's most exciting and passionate league."
Dazn's proposed deal would crush the SPFL in terms of games shown live. The sports broadcaster is proposing to show all 1671 EFL matches live each season from 2024-25. The removal of the 3pm blackout would allow this to happen.
How much money is at stake?
Sky Sports currently pay £119 million-a-year to show EFL games exclusively on the network. There are 138 matches shown each season as part of the deal with Championship, League One and League Two clubs all getting air time on Sky. It is expected the next deal will increase the amount of games but more importantly for clubs the money will rise as well.
Last year the SPFL signed a contract with Sky Sports to show the Premiership exclusively from 2025 to 2029. It was an increase on the last deal but only brought in £150m over the period. Many fans were disappointed with the deal saying the SPFL could have brokered a better deal.
Doncaster said: "We have much work to do to achieve our target of paying fees to member clubs of £50million per season - but this is an important and significant first step towards that target."
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