Serie A Names Overseas Rights Bidders; MP & Silva, IMG, B4 Capital In Running

Serie A "announced a shortlist of three companies bidding for its international television rights, with MP & Silva, IMG and B4 Capital all in the running," according to SOCCEREX. The league "is hoping to improve" on the €117M ($150M)-per-year it currently generates from its overseas TV rights, which are being sold by Infront Sports & Media. It is widely expected that MP & Silva "will win the rights," with reports suggesting the agency has made a bid of €185M ($237M) per season against offers of €140M ($179M) from IMG and €135M ($172M) from B4 Capital. The winning bidder, who will hold the rights for the next three seasons, "is expected to be formally announced by league officials on Monday" (SOCCEREX, 10/16).