ESPN Star Sports has acquired the broadcast rights for the FIFA World Cup 2010 at $40 million

[Jerome]

ESPN Star Sports has acquired the broadcast rights for the FIFA World Cup 2010

Soccer viewership in India has been growing by leaps and bounds and so has the competition for telecast rights.
In a hard-pitched battle, ESPN Star Sports has acquired the broadcast rights for the FIFA World Cup 2010 at an astounding $40 million. The rights to the earlier FIFA World Cup 2006 were bagged at a measly $8 million and those for 2002 went for just $3 million.
Both Ten Sports and Neo Sports were part of the bidding process, with sources maintaining that the former had come close with its $35 million bid, while Neo Sports stuck to its $28 million bid. Sources said the whole process underwent a change when revised bids were sought from the three competing parties. ESPN turned out to be the highest bidder. “The high acquisition costs bring into focus the ever increasing popularity of international soccer in the Indian subcontinent,’’ sources said.
“The 2006 world cup was watched by over 50 million people in India alone, which was a 44% increase to the 2002 broadcast. The reach of Barclays Premier League too has grown at over 40% per annum since 2005,’’ they added.
As 32 teams get ready to battle for the coveted trophy in South Africa between June 11 and July 11, 2010, ESPN will showcase over 275 international football games, including the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the FIFA Confederations Cup. The rights are for India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal. Incidentally, the recently-concluded Euro Cup ensured that its broadcasters ESPN Star managed to make Rs 25 crore from ad-sales alone. While Vodafone had signed up as co-presenting sponsor for Euro 2008, HDFC Standard Life, HP and Hyundai had picked up the associate sponsor slots for the soccer series.

[Bahumathi]

This time Fifa is going held in Brazil. FIFA is very pleased to announce that it has signed a sponsorship contract with the Brazilian company Nescau who will Support the National Cup World Cup Brazil 2014. Nescau becomes the fourth Brazilian society to engage in the event after the sponsors of the FIFA World Cup Marfrig and Oi, and the National Supporter Itaú. Producing chocolate bars and ice cream, Nescau hold significant marketing rights in Brazil.