Saudi Arabia in talks with Bundesliga over broadcast rights, report says

According to the Financial Times, Saudi officials say that representatives of German top flight had contacted the Kingdom

Robert Lewandowski of Bayern Munich celebrates after he head's his teams second goal during the Bundesliga match against Freiburg. EPA

Robert Lewandowski celebrates with his teammate Leon Goretzka after scoring the second. EPA

Bayern Munich's Thomas Muller and Robert Lewandowski celebrate after the match. Reuters

epa08499253 Joshua Kimmich (R) of Bayern Muenchen celebrates with team mate Robert Lewandowski (L) after he scores the opening goal during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and Sport-Club Freiburg at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, 20 June 2020. EPA/Alexander Hassenstein / POOL DFL regulations prohibit any use of photographs as image sequences and/or quasi-video.

Lewandowski runs with the ball. EPA

Lewandowski arrives for the match. EPA

Robert Lewandowski scores Bayern's third goal. Reuters

Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski celebrates scoring their third goal with teammates,. Reuters

The Bundesliga has approached Saudi Arabia over a potential deal for broadcast rights of the German football league in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena), according to a report.

The UK's Financial Times reported that a Saudi official had claimed that representatives of Germany's top flight had approached counterparts in the Kingdom as part of a wider effort to market league rights from 2020/21.

Qatar-based broadcaster BeIN Sports currently holds Bundesliga rights to broadcast games across the Mena region in a five-year deal that expires at the end of the current season worth around $50 million (Dh184m) per season.

The report says that Saudi Arabia are keen to explore the deal further, while the Bundesliga are reportedly also in discussion with BeIN executives about extending their current agreement.

A deal for broadcasting rights of a major European league would follow a trend of the Kingdom's investment in sport, particularly football.

The country’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is currently awaiting a verdict from England's Premier League to finalise its takeover of top-flight Newcastle United for a fee upwards of £300m (Dh1.375 billion).

Earlier this year, Saudi announced its intention to bid to host the 2027 Asian Cup, the continent's biggest football tournament, and has also penned multiyear deals to host the Spanish Super Cup and Supercoppa Italiana.

The Bundesliga was the first major European league to return to action following the Covid-19 outbreak.

Bayern Munich secured an eighth straight Bundesliga shield with a 1-0 win over Werder Bremen two weeks ago.