IMG Signs Deal To Market, Distribute Russian Football Outside Of The Country

IMG has agreed to an exclusive three-year media rights deal with the Russian Football Premier League to market and distribute the league outside of Russia and has already secured contracts with more than 20 broadcasters including NHK in Japan, ESPN in Brazil and Polsat in Poland. The new agreement, which lasts until '15, will see IMG selling the rights for live and highlights coverage of all 240 league games and also includes Internet streaming, mobile phones, DVD and in-flight and in-ship. IMG is currently in discussion with several other broadcasters around the world and anticipates further deals being concluded in the coming months. Founded in '01, the RFPL, which is run by the 16 clubs in the league, succeeded the Russian Top League, which had been run by the Professional Football League of Russia (IMG).