EFL kicks off rights tender

The EFL has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for interested parties in respect of its broadcast rights.

Sky Sports currently holds the rights, with its five-year deal coming to an end after the 2023/24 season.

All 1,891 matches across the League, EFL Cup, EFL Trophy and all end of season Play-Off matches are available for prospective bidders, with the EFL encouraging bids that offer “innovation” and “contemporary solutions” for changing audience habits. 

The EFL already has its own D2C offering, iFollow, that has attracted some criticism for favouring bigger clubs with how it divides its revenues but also raised significant sums when the pandemic forced empty stadiums. It streams matches that are outside of the 2.45pm-5.15pm Saturday blackout but are not selected by Sky Sports for TV.

Bidders must submit responses by 5pm on 21 November 2022.

EFL chief commercial officer Ben Wright said: “With 54% of the UK population watching EFL football on television each year and a global audience of more than 400 million, it’s an exciting time to be going to market for the League’s broadcast rights.

“Whilst the appetite for EFL football remains stronger than ever, we want to grow this audience further. We are inviting proposals from organisations that can enhance and develop the League’s offering, taking a new and innovative approach to how people consume EFL content. Alongside the EFL’s rich tradition and distinguished history there is a desire to evolve, grow and innovate in order to grow our audience further and we’re looking for a partner or partners who share that vision.”