FIFA media rights officers have arrived in India to barter a broadcast deal for the forthcoming World Cup, as hundreds of thousands of soccer fans face lacking out as a result of pricing conflicts. Sources affirm the deadlock has but to be resolved, three weeks earlier than the match begins.
Whereas FIFA has secured broadcasting agreements in over 180 territories, talks in India have hit a impasse, primarily with the Reliance-Disney three way partnership providing $20 million towards FIFA’s lowered demand of $60 million. Sony, one other main participant, has opted to not bid.
Because the World Cup kickoff of June 11 approaches, the strain mounts to finalize offers, arrange infrastructure, and promote promoting slots. Whereas soccer has a powerful following of 85 million in India, it nonetheless trails behind cricket’s dominant 492 million fanbase.
(With inputs from companies.)