The Sport Thread

Makes sense in rugby (and most other sports) since the clock stops and starts with the ebb and flow of play. Not the case in football which just runs through 45 minutes a half and has a seemingly arbitrary amount added on the end for stoppage.

I wouldn’t be surprised if that is exactly what happens - a deal that keeps this Six Nations FTA while giving Sky the less politically sensitive Autumn internationals, in whatever form they end up taking going forward. I cannot see a pay Six Nations working and a pay/non-pay share ends up being potentially problematic.



Of course the international side of Sanzaar is as big a state of flux as the club side. SA didn’t take part in a Rugby Championship last year with a revived Tri-Nations featuring NZ, Australia and Argentina instead. I’m not sure you can presume SA will be back this year either. I think ultimately the resolution of the Sanzaar issue will probably come to a head when whatever international series ends up happening is about to come up. The fact that the NZRU were let go on a solo deal for the club competition (which should have been part of a Sanzaar package) means that Rugby AU have probably given up on there being a deal for Super Rugby AU this season.

I think it would be in everyone's interest if the Six Nations were to solicit SA to replace Italy ASAP.

The clubs are already heavily involved in the Pro12/14/15/17, and SA is in the right time zone.

Well, except for the SANZAAR Championship which wouldn't survive. To be honest the Six Nations needs the resident wooden spoon holders in the tournament - it works well for the other five to have an easier round. I think the debate about replacing them is a none starter really as if Georgia came in as proposed it would be the same situation, and them constantly switching with Italy as part of a relegation/promotion to the second tier would just damage both sides and make them worse. More so if the proposed play off acted as a safety net chances are the 6N side would win that anyway and it is all just rather pointless. And though Italy may be constantly bottom at the moment the other 5 Unions just can't afford the risk that one year they might end up there and even with the safety net of a home play off the risk of relegation is too much - it would probably see the Unions go under.

I would assume with the rights now out to tender that Italy's position is secure for at least as long as they last.

Saw Sky Sports News’ reverse-L-bar in “Soccer Saturday mode” (video printer and scores on the side) during Sports Sunday this lunchtime. Is that a new thing?

No, been doing that for a while now. Since the start of this season from memory?

The Mainz vs Augsburg game just now went to the beginning of the match and fast forwarded itself before cutting to a caption for a second and then going back to the match.

No apologies from the commentators.

Virgin Media out of the running for ROI Champions League rights for the next cycle, which surely means the end of its sports channel.

https://www.irishtimes.com/business/media-and-marketing/virgin-media-loses-out-in-champions-league-tv-bidding-1.4497952?mode=amp

The interesting thing is that apparently a new player is mentioned. DAZN and Amazon are being speculated on, though I do wonder if it could be Premier Sports or even eir Sport. The fact that the rights are non exclusive lessens their attractiveness for a new player which makes me doubt that aspect but leers wait and see.

Premier Sport would be a good shout.
I really hope that DAZN are not going to be linked in the press for any passing sports rights on both sides of the Irish Sea - even if they have no intention to bid, just 'lurk' in the shadows and because of it, bump up the price.

Minor rights news and more FTA cricket

🏏 FreeSports are delighted to announce a 3 years free to air Cricket partnership with RDA!

🇦🇫🇿🇼 All tests, ODI’s and T20 fixtures involving Afghanistan and Zimbabwe live on FreeSports including series featuring India, Pakistan and Australia.

Full PR: https://t.co/AwRa42L9fU pic.twitter.com/OadHsQbVP0

— FreeSports 📺 (@FreeSports_TV) March 1, 2021

Less DAZN (who I tend to regard as in a similar league to Eleven Sports). More Amazon Prime. It seems to me now, whatever the rights for any competition are imminently up for sale, Amazon is either being explicitly or implicitly linked with it. The reality is they’ve picked up very few sports rights deals (some of which such as the Premier League deal were effectively tailor made for them and others were quite opportunistic pick ups) and I don’t think there’s any competition where they are the primary domestic host broadcaster.

Very minor cricket rights!
And 'totally co-incidental' that Ireland have some match-ups against Zimbabwe, and these have been picked up by FreePremier Sports!