Spain's CNMC Urges Spanish Football League To Air Top Games On Free-TV

Spain's National Commission of Markets & Competition (CNMC) issued a statement about "the conditions of the auction" of the TV rights for the next three years in La Liga and the Spanish second division, according to Carlos Arribas of EL PAÍS. The CNMC asks that the Spanish Football League (LFP) make both Real Madrid and Barcelona games be broadcast on free-TV, as well as at least two of the four games of the Copa del Rey semifinals. This is "not binding," but the LFP will adopt some of the suggestions that do not affect "the most substantial aspects of the model." LFP sources said that the "biggest game being broadcast on free-TV is a possibility," but rejected two of the Copa del Rey semifinal matches being broadcast on free-TV. The LFP's intention was to call for the auction on Thursday and close the period for offers on Nov. 30, "but given the changes that have to be made to the draft after the order by the CNMC," the opening of the auction will be delayed until at least Nov. 11 (EL PAÍS, 11/4).