On Tuesday, the English Football League (EFL) revealed its new £148 million ($188 million) television rights contract, which is a blockbuster.
The EFL announced in a statement that teams had agreed to the plan to increase their audience, which might lead to the negotiation of a lucrative new contract. With an aim to establish itself in America, the competition is expected to collect £148 million over the course of the following four seasons to broadcast games outside of the United Kingdom.
Under the terms of the agreement, Relevant Sports and Pitch International will represent the EFL internationally. Relevant Sports intends to distribute in North, Central, and South America, while Pitch International offers EFL rights in Europe, the Middle East, and other territories. Through focused marketing initiatives, the goal will be to raise the awareness of teams in the aforementioned regions, from the Championship to League Two, as well as the Carabao Cup, EFL Trophy, and promotion play-offs.
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The growth of Rob McElhenney’s Wrexham and Ryan Reynolds’s English Championship are believed to be the two decisive drivers in this expansion. The Daily Mail reports that the Championship is one of the most watched leagues in Europe outside of the Premier League, and that viewers’ interest in the struggles of lower-league teams has been piqued by Wrexham’s antics under its Hollywood owners.
The Athletic reports that three National League teams, four Scottish Premier League teams, and 27% of EFL clubs are currently controlled by US-based businesses. According to The Mail, there is room for expansion in the EFL, especially in the Americas. The agreement is in effect until the 2027–2028 campaign is over.
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