Saudis making fresh TV rights move after piracy crackdown

According to the FT, the Saudi government are looking to steal in to nab exclusive MENA rights to the Bundesliga from Qatar-based BeIN Sports.

Could the Premier League be next, with the rights put to tender next summer?

The FT report states: " Saudi Arabia has approached Germany’s Bundesliga over acquiring the football league’s television rights in the Middle East, in the latest move by the Gulf kingdom to seek new investments in international sport.

"The body that runs German football’s top division is in exclusive talks with beIN Sports to renew the Qatar-based network’s $250m five-year deal to screen matches across the region, which runs out at the end of this season.

“But a representative for the Saudi state recently contacted Bundesliga seeking to acquire the Middle East rights instead, according to people with knowledge of the situation.”[/B]