Esporte Interativo Beats ESPN Brasil For Champions League Rights

Reports in the Brazilian media suggest that Esporte Interativo "has won the rights in its territory to the next three seasons" of the UEFA Champions League, according to GOAL. The deal would include the '15-16 to '17-18 seasons and "would represent a major coup" for the channel that was launched in '07. In '13 Turner Group acquired a 20% "stake in the channel." According to the reports, Turner "helped finance a bid that beat off competition from incumbent rights-holder ESPN and Globosat’s SporTV." Fox Sports, "a relatively new player in the Brazilian market," was expected to bid but did not. Though not confirmed yet by either UEFA or Esporte Interative, the deal "would represent a big blow to ESPN Brasil," which has been the home to Champions League football throughout its 20-year history in the country (GOAL, 10/31).