The Arab broadcasting and news giant broke fresh ground as it snaps up one of the TV lots worth €360m to air French Ligue matches on their Al Jazeera Sports channel in the forthcoming season. The contract is for four years and covers 2012 to 2016.
Nasser al-Khelaifi, the chairman of recently acquired PSG is also the president of Al Jazeera Sports. In May, a Qatari consortium took over 70% of the French side. The Qataris are making a concerted bid to become big players in European football as FIFA’s throne transits from Sepp Blatter to his heir apparent Michel Platini.
Four other lots went to Canal + for €420m. There will be further bidding for four more including mobile rights. The Ligue president Frederic Thiriez welcomed the new partnership with Al Jazeera.
“Al-Jazeera is a respectable and respected partner in the world and we are committed to a long-term partnership.”