AFC ditches ailing China broadcaster
Print Edition
ASIA’S football body yesterday said it has terminated the contract of cash-strapped LeSports to broadcast its games in China and found a new partner after reports of payment defaults and legal action.
The Asian Football Confederation said it had “no alternative” but to end its US$100 million, four-year deal with China’s LeSports, which was due to run until 2020.
The incident follows rocketing prices in China’s sports sector, and a warning in official media of a “bubble” in Chinese football after spending topped US$1 billion last year.
China Sports Media will now replace LeSports, a subsidiary of tech firm LeEco, and broadcast games, including the AFC Champions League, World Cup qualifiers and the 2019 Asian Cup.
“CSM secured the rights for the AFC competitions... after the AFC had no alternative but to terminate its contract with Le TV (LeSports), which had been signed in August 2015,” an AFC statement said.
“The new deal was agreed with CSM Chairman Li Yidong and means that there will be uninterrupted coverage of this week’s AFC Champions League fixtures in China.”
LeSports said in a statement that its deal with the AFC had been terminated.
“We have let you all down,” the firm said, adding that customers would be recompensed.
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