August 26 – The European Club Association (ECA) board, meeting for the first time this season in Istanbul, has re-iterated its support for UEFA’s new financial distribution model, highlighting the just completed broadcast deal with Paramount/CBS in the US as an example of the co-operation.
UEFA and the ECA have undertaken a landmark joint venture that covers media rights sales processes for UEFA Club Competitions post-2024.
That Paramount/CBS agreement will “generate +150% growth from the current cycle in financial terms – excluding Spanish language rights which are yet to be sold. This is the first UCC media rights deal in US which will run across two cycles for six years from 2024 to 2030, providing increased returns and stability for European club football, as well as the opportunity to attract new fans in a growing market,” said the ECA.
Highlighting the principles of solidarity and investing across the football pyramid, the ECA said: “With 42% of all revenues currently going to clubs and projects outside of the flagship UEFA Champions League, the Board noted the vital funds already going to all clubs in medium to small leagues thanks to ECA and UEFA – but with work to be done.
“… The Board also strongly agreed to work with UEFA to ensure that the UEFA Champions League continues to fund not only solidarity but also the development of the UEFA Europa League, Europa Conference League and Women’s Champions League, all vital competitions for UEFA, for ECA members and for fans across Europe.”
The ECA has more than 240 club members and now has board approval to expand its services to a new ECA Network for another 160 ‘aspiring clubs in Europe’. Membership of that network is based on criteria considering the last four years of European competitions and domestic performance.
The ECA board also received a update on the ECA Ukraine Relief Committee’s work which to date has disbursed €680,000 from an ECA fund of €1 million to 15 projects run by member clubs assisting Ukrainian refugees.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1714398928labto1714398928ofdlr1714398928owedi1714398928sni@n1714398928osloh1714398928cin.l1714398928uap1714398928