Orlando Nicoara, the general manager of the EAD company, the company that sells TV rights for Superliga, came to GSP podcast “2 to 1”. About the costs of a Liga 1 match, the main purpose of the LPF in the last negotiations and a premiere in the Romanian media landscape, in the ranks below.
First, the businessman says he does not anticipate major changes in the cablist market. Not in the near future: “The market in Romania is restricted. In 2017, when I started the contract, I had 7 or 8 partners to sell their rights. At the moment we have 3: Digi, Orange and Vodafone. The last one that came out of the market was Telekom. It may be enough for Romania”.
“Digi is far! What market shares they have now, it is hard for me to believe that someone will be able to compete with them. Spain is the best example. There it is an extremely competitive market at telephone and internet level. And look what Digi does there, sponsor about 5 teams from La Liga! ”, Continues Orlando.
Video | Orlando Nicoara, director of EAD, at the GSP podcast “2 to 1”: “Iorgulescu wanted his legacy to be the sum of 40 million euros”
Recently, the TV rights contract between LPF and EAD has been extended until 2035. The value of the agreement – now 30 million euros, excluding VAT – increases this season, with € 1,000,000, and will exceed the terminal of 40 million euros per edition from 2032. Then the amount will amount to 43 million. The initial contract expires in 2027.
“We started the negotiations with Gino Iorgulescu and Justin Stefan at the end of last year. Initially we talked about an extension of the current contract for another 3 seasons, then we reached 5 seasons. Talking, Mr. Iorgulescu insisted that the amount would increase this season. «Ordinance Travel».
By putting things in one place, we agreed to increase the amount of this season, to come up with additional money. Iorgulescu wanted to reach the sum of 40 million euros, as an inheritance of his reign. Then, to bring all the items to a common denominator, we said we sign a longer extension“, Orlando Nicoara detailed.
|
Years |
Who had the rights |
Amount per season (with VAT) |
|
2000-2004 |
Pro TV |
3,000,000€ |
|
2004-2008 |
Telesport |
7,000,000€ |
|
2008-2011 |
RCS & RDS, Antena 1 |
34,000,000€ |
|
2011-2014 |
RCS & RDS, Romtelecom, Antena 1 |
34,000,000€ |
|
2014-2019 |
Intel Sky Broadcast |
33,000,000€ |
|
2019-2025 |
Ead |
34,000,000€ |
|
2025-2032 |
Ead |
36,500,000€ |
|
2032-2035 |
Ead |
43,000,000€ |
At the moment, we are in the middle between the interests of the professional football and clubs, which we understand. Clubs want a product to sell as expensive as possible. On the other side are the interests of the cabins, those who pay: Digi, Orange and Vodafone. We try to discuss with some, and with others and find a balance
– Orlando Nicoara, at Podcastul GSP “2 to 1”
Digi and the first pay different prices
Orlando Nicoara also explained that media partners do not contribute with the same share of TV rights:
“The television of the superligation is sold with different prices for Digi and the first, because, in general, it is sold according to the power of the respective operator. [Deci Digi plătește mai mult] Yes”.
Orlando Nicoara at Podcastul GSP “2 to 1”, photo: Ionuț Iordache (gsp.ro)
Premiere: Superliga on streaming platforms. When?
For the first time, Superliga matches could be officially transmitted on streaming channels – inside the current contract. Starting from the Premier League discussion exclusively on Voyo, Nicoara was asked how far Liga 1 is a similar model.
“Today, we are far away. However, in the last seasons of the contract we extended we have matches that will be transmitted by streaming. It could, but there will be only a few. The change will not be drastic. I do not think of a drastic change today, ”says Orlando.
How much does the transmission of a Superliga match cost
“A Liga 1 match costs a total of over 100,000 euros. Around 10,000-12,000 euros is only the production of a match, depending on the distance and other things. There are about 320 matches, all with dams, so we reach 3,200,000 euros, which are added to the amount we pay to the clubs.
The matches must be produced, in order to convey the game you have to send a team there, and these are costs that we must take into account, ”added the EAD director.
Integral podcast | “2 to 1” with Orlando Nicoara
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiyyoetrp-k
About Orlando Nicoara:
- The director of the EAD, the company that owns the TV rights for Liga 1 and has implemented the VAR in Romania;
- Before being a key character in football, Orlando Nicoara was one of the most important players in the digital landscape in Romania for the last 25 years;
- One of the Internet pioneers in our country, later press manager, entrepreneur, investor in many media and technology projects;
- He drove Mediafax Group from 2014. Since 2015, he has contributed to the launch of publications such as Profit.ro, News.ro, and recently became the owner of the daily publication;
- He transmitted the UEAUA and Rapid's online “quarter”, a premiere at the time.
