BBC, BSkyB get England games and FA Cup for less in new deal

Broadcasters BBC and British Sky Broadcasting will pay $529.2 million over four years for TV rights to England soccer internationals and the FA Cup in the new deal signed by national governing body the Football Association. The agreement begins with the 2004-05 season. The current deal, with the same two networks, is valued at $553.3 million but over only three years. The new contract is worth $132.3 million a season, down $52.1 million each year on the $184.4 million a year paid by the two broadcasters for the old deal.

JUVENTUS STAYS HOME: Italian soccer champion Juventus is to stay at the Delle Alpi stadium after reaching an agreement on a new 99-year lease with the local council. The stadium, which holds about 71,000 for soccer, has belonged to the council since it was built before the 1990 World Cup. Juventus officials had been threatening to abandon it because of a steady increase in rent prices. The club, can now go ahead with plans to build a new commercial area and a concert arena on the grounds.

CRICKET OPENS UP: A new channel is emerging as a major force in the Asian TV rights market. Indian network Ten Sports, based in the United Arab Emirates, has added rights to cricket in the West Indies after snapping up rights to games in Pakistan. Both properties previously belonged to ESPN-Star Sports. Taj Television's Ten Sports bought the Asian television rights for the West Indies until 2008 for an estimated $50 million. Ten Sports signed a similar $40 million deal with the Pakistan Cricket Board. Ten Sports said that it will have nearly the same number of one-day matches as ESPN-Star during the next five years, a bit more than 200. Taj/Ten Sports is operated by UAE-based Bukhatir Investments.

NIKE RUGBY DEAL: Nike has sealed a new 4½-year uniform sponsorship deal with England's Rugby Football Union, estimated to be worth $14.4 million by some reports. Nike, whose existing agreement runs out in January, will be England's uniform supplier and a sponsor until the summer of 2008.

— Jay Stuart