Sky Sports see off BT Sport to keep Super League until 2024 despite new three-year deal being worth less than the current £40m-a-year
- New three-year contract will guarantee the professional future of the sport
- It is expected to be signed off at a Super League Board meeting next month
- It would be first major UK broadcasting contract agreed in the Covid-19 era
Sky Sports are close to finalising a new contract to televise rugby league that will guarantee the professional future of the sport.
The new three-year deal covering the 2022-24 seasons is set to be the first major broadcasting contract of the Covid-19 era agreed in the UK.
As a result it is believed to be worth less than the current £40million-a-year contract that expires next year.
Sky beat off late competition from BT Sport to secure three-year Super League contract
Sky beat off late competition from BT Sport to secure the contract, which is expected to be signed off at a Super League Board meeting next month.
Despite the cut, Sky’s enduring commitment remains a huge boost for the sport ahead of this week’s Super League Grand Final between Wigan and St Helens, as rugby league has been forced to rely on handouts from Government to get through this season.
A £16m loan last May was required to get the Super League season up and running after lockdown.
Wigan face St Helens in the Super League Grand Final at Hull’s KCOM Stadium on Friday
The sport will receive £12m more as part of the £300m winter survival package announced last week.
The domestic TV deal is rugby league’s biggest source of income.
Around three-quarters of the money will go to Super League clubs, with the rest split between the RFL and Championship clubs.
