The National Rugby League has "attempted to add urgency to stalled talks with News Corp.'s Fox Sports by lining up Qatar-owned beIN Sports as a potential bidder for its pay-TV rights." Sources said that beIN is "running the ruler" over the rights amid a "stand-off" with Fox Sports as the "fallout" from the code's recently signed five-year, A$925M ($662M) contract with the Nine Network continues. It is understood rugby league bosses have "made contact" with London-based beIN Sports Senior VP of Content Strategy Daniel Markham (THE AUSTRALIAN, 8/26). ... Poland's Eleven Sports Network announced on Monday that it signed a three-year broadcast rights deal for Poland with La Liga. The rights include the live fixtures from '15-16 through '17-18 as well as delayed and repeat broadcasts. The network will complement the broadcasts with further news, highlights and analysis (Eleven Sports Network). ... Bookmaker William Hill released "an energetic TV campaign to advertise its in-play betting products." The work, which is called "take control," aired on Sky Sports during Chelsea’s match against West Bromwich Albion. The campaign "was created by Bark&Bite, a creative and post-production company" (CAMPAIGN LIVE, 8/21).
