Serie A club conflict over TV rights
April 17, 2011 - 0:0
Friday’s Lega Calcio meeting in Italy has left the bigger Serie A clubs - AC Milan, Inter, Juventus, Roma and Napoli - concerned about the distribution of television rights for next season.
With approximately €200 million to be divided throughout Serie A, Lega Calcio will now be conducting polls across Italy with a greater emphasis on identifying club supporters in catchment areas and categorising the fans.Three concepts of supporter will now be used: passionate, supporter and sympathizer, which is thought will help increase coverage of medium sized teams in the league who may have less but more passionate fans.
The news comes after Lazio president Claudio Lotito slammed the current subdivisions earlier this month, demanding a bigger piece of the revenue pie.
The situation could however get out of hand with the big clubs fighting hard for their fans rights to see their team play; in extreme cases when sanctions may be required to quell any unrest as a result of revenue loss, a suspension of the summer transfer window for players in Serie A to move to a another club in the league will be imposed.
Next season’s schedule was also decided. The League will begin on August 28 and run till May 13, 2012. The Coppa Italia is expected to begin on August 7, with the final set to be held on May 20, 2012.
(Source: Goal)