WPP among bidders for RTL/Canal+ sports rights unit

by Staff,, Brand Republic 16-Sep-03, 09:00

LONDON - WPP Group and Publicis Groupe have emerged as potential buyers of Sportfive, the football and sports rights agency owned by European television firms Canal+ and RTL Group, which has been put up for sale.

The two companies are reported to have sent possible bidders a prospectus on the business, according to sources quoted by Reuters.

The sell-off by Canal+ is thought to be part of its cash-strapped parent firm Vivendi Universal's divestment plans. Canal+ and Bertelsmann-owned RTL each own 46.4% of Sportfive.

Sportfive markets a number of top events in sports such as football, rugby and boxing, and has the international rights to events such as the European Uefa cup and the Premier League.

Formed last year following a merger between the Jean Claude Darmon Group, RTL's UFA Sports and Canal+'s SEDS, Sportfive has arranged corporate sponsorship with top European football teams including Italy's AC Milan and the Netherlands' Ajax.

As well as WPP's Global Sportnet and Publicis's International Sports & Entertainment unit, Interpublic's Octagon is also thought to be interested in buying a stake in Sportfive.

Reuters said that no decision to sell has been made yet and that the move was part of a strategic review, with a sale being just one option.

Sportive reported a net loss of €134.6m (£94.7m) on revenues of €638.7m last year.

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