Soccer FIFA threatens European TV blackout of non-mens World Cup

[EL Hefe]

“The offers from broadcasters, mainly in the ‘Big Five’ European countries, are very disappointing,” he said at the World Trade Organisation in Geneva, stressing that the revenue will go back into women’s football to help grow the game.

Infantino accused broadcasters of offering between $1 million and $10 million to show the Women’s World Cup, compared to the $100-200 million they pay for the men’s version.

The five countries are thought to be Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain. “This is a slap in the face of all the great FIFA Women’s World Cup players and indeed of all women worldwide,” said Infantino.

“To be very clear, it is our moral and legal obligation not to undersell the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

“Therefore, should the offers continue not to be fair (towards women and women’s football), we will be forced not to broadcast the FIFA Women’s World Cup into the ‘Big Five’ European countries.”


“Maybe, because it is in Australia and New Zealand, it’s not played on prime time in Europe, but still, it is played at 9:00 am or 10:00 am, so it is quite a reasonable time,” he said.

The World Cup starts on July 20 a
nd ends August 20.

 

[Bulldog_4_Life]

I’m a big footballer watcher and I barely remember its on and it’s happening in this country, of course no one is seriously going to pay 200m for it.

 

[Baby Blues]

He’s just grandstanding to appease certain groups. The women’s game is growing and this is the pinnacle event. If he thinks not showing the world cup at all in those countries is a good idea then he needs a new job

 

[B-Train]

Big surprise, FIFA want more money.. They should just have the tournament in Qatar every time, problem solved.

 

[MatstaDogg]

Can you believe this ****. The women's game overall is shit, I'm sorry to say. I still watch and support our matildas, but this dude has no concept of value. The women's world cup would be lucky to get a quarter of the views that the men's world cup receives.

 

[Wahesh]

Why do the women always cry whenever the male codes of the sport get more money and sponsorship compared to theirs? It's simple, more people prefer to watch the mens sport as it's more competitive. It's got NOTHING to do with gender equality, it's all about what viewers want.

The same as the beach volley ball - more people prefer to watch the women play that, yet you don't hear the men crying foul seeking attention.

 

[hayes]

Look the Matilda's are top 10 in the world lost 7 nil to Newcastle jets under 16 development squad. You really can't compare men's and women's as for the play on the pitch.

You can compare attendance ratings sponsorship and grass roots growth(potential future market) that what you can pay money for.

No broadcaster can pay say 20 million for and then only sell 5 in advertising and lose 15 to appease FIFA piss of their shareholders in the process. Something is only worth what someone is willing to pay.