Elliott Management Corp. and Mediapro reportedly discussed the "possibility of the U.S. hedge fund backing the Spanish TV and film producer’s investment" in broadcast rights to Serie A, according to Lepido & Orihuela of BLOOMBERG. Officials for N.Y.-based Elliott met Mediapro Head and co-Founder Jaume Roures twice this month in Milan, sources said. The discussions are preliminary and "may not lead to a deal," the people added. The fund’s eventual role "could be to provide financing," they said. One source said that Elliott decided "not to move ahead for now." Barcelona-based Mediapro in February won the TV rights to Serie A after offering €3.15B ($3.7B) for three seasons of 380 matches each in a deal ending in '21. Mediapro outbid Sky Italia and Mediaset to gain the rights. Sky "challenged" the decision from Italy’s football league and a court in Milan ordered a review of the auction to "guarantee compliance with local law." Mediapro has appealed that ruling. Mediapro declined to comment. A representative for Elliott was not immediately available to comment (BLOOMBERG, 5/22).
