ISMM, the near-bankrupt sports marketing agency which is responsible for selling the broadcasting rights to the next two World Cup competitions, has been given a reprieve with the news that French media group Vivendi plans to acquire the business.
Analysts at ABN Amro say that the move is in line with Vivendi’s strategy of building a sports franchise. It already owns Sport+, which in turn holds the rights to a selection of domestic European football games.
ABN says that it is hoping to launch a sports channel and is working with Bertelsmann as a free to air partner, along with sports rights specialist JC Damon.