August 13 – The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has stepped deeper into the row between Fenerbahçe and league broadcaster beIN Sports, ruling that the club that they must end their protest campaign against the broadcaster.
The TFF banned Fenerbahçe from using the ‘Be Fair’ logo that is at the front of their public protest and which is now the subject of legal action by beIN SPORTS Turkey regarding theft of IP and abuse of their corporate image and business.
The ‘Be Fair’ logo has been used on player kit as well as banners in Fenerbahçe’s ground as the club has blamed the broadcaster for the manipulation of results in the league and unfair treatment.
beIN Sports clams the campaign has damaged their business.
The TFF ruling comes at a time when the league is about to issue a broadcast tender for rights for the next five years – beIN Sports is in the last year of its current five-year contract that it receives via Digiturk.
Broadcast rights are by far the biggest revenue stream and beIN Sports/Digiturk have been by far the biggest buyer. Whether they stay in the market for TV rights at the same level after the abuse from Fenerbahçe remains to be seen.
TFF President Mr. Nihat Özdemirsaid:“We signed a contract with Digiturk four years ago. We have a contract. This year is our last year. Fifth year. We will finish this and by December of this year we have to make the new five-year tender… We will tender this broadcast rights before 31 December 2021. We will see together who will win the tender for the next five years. Our goal is to increase the brand value of the league and end this tender with a good offer. If we get a good offer, Turkish football will make the biggest profit from it. Everyone’s most important source is income from the broadcaster. We have completed 4 years.”
A good outcome for everyone will require a better attitude to their broadcast partner from influential clubs like Fenerbahçe.
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