The European Commission has cleared the sports rights merger between Groupe Jean-Claude Darmon, Canal+ Group and RTL Group, following months of speculation and delays. The new entity, which combines all the sports right activities of the three groups, will be called Sportfive.
The merger, first announced in May, will create a leading European venture with a broad range of international TV and marketing sports rights. Sportfive be headquartered in Paris.
Jean-Claude Darmon will be chairman and CEO of the new group. Bernd Hoffmann from RTL’s UFA Sports and Jerome Valcke from Canal+’s Sport+ will each be appointed chief operating officer (COO).
The merged group combines annual revenues of over E570 million and EBITA of E49 million (based on combined figures for 2000). It manages TV and marketing sports rights contracts with a number of football clubs, federations, confederations and leagues across the world. It is also active in sports including handball, rugby and tennis.
Sportfive will offer a full range of sport marketing and communication services and employs about 350 people in various offices worldwide.
