Advertising groups WPP and Publicis have been linked with sports rights agency Sportfive, which is reported to have been put up for sale by its current owners.
According to Reuters, potential bidders have been sent a prospectus on the business which matches up corporate sponsors with sports teams and individual players. It also sells the rights to broadcast prominent events such as the UEFA Cup and the English Premiership.
At present, television firms Canal Plus and RTL Group each own 46.4% in Sportfive and can sell their stakes independently. There has been no formal announcement regarding a sale but Canal Plus, which is part of the fragmenting Vivendi empire, has vowed to focus on its French pay-TV business (see Canal Plus Network To Be Fragmented).
In addition to WPP and Publicis, Interpublic’s Octagan division is thought to be interested in acquiring a stake in Sportfive.
