Le Sports Acquires Exclusive Chinese Super League Internet Rights

Le Sports, the sports broadcasting subsidiary of Chinese entertainment company Le Eco, "acquired the online multimedia rights to the Chinese Super League" in a two-year deal worth a reported RMB 2.7B ($415M), according to SOCCEREX. The deal covers the '16 and '17 editions of the competition, "beginning with the opening round of the upcoming season" on March 4. The deal "is signed with China Media Capital subsidiary Ti'ao Power, which agreed a long-term deal relating to the production and broadcast rights of the CSL last year." Ti'ao Power, meanwhile, "added the Chinese FA Cup and Super Cup to its broadcasting portfolio for the next three years." The broadcaster "now owns the full house" of Chinese football rights, with existing deals in place for national team matches and the CSL. The partnership with the CFA Cup and the Super League "is for three years, concluding at the end of the 2018 edition of the knock-out competition" (SOCCEREX, 2/19).