News Center

Pro League Committee announces Invitation to Tender for Media Rights to its Competitions

Pro League Committee hereby announces an Invitation to Tender for Media Rights and Host Broadcaster Services for its Competitions for the Three (3) seasons from 2013/14-2015/16, in the territory of Middle East & North Africa. Bidding was officially launched at a press conference held by the Pro League Committee at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi on Saturday morning, attended by H.E. Hamad Nekhirat Al Ameri, Member of the Executive Office and Chairman of the Rights Licensing Committee, H.E. Mohamed Khalfan Al Dhaheri, Vice Chairman of the Rights Licensing Committee, and H.E. Khaled Al Mubasheri, H.E. Adnan Al Bahar and H.E. Salah Salem Aljaeedi, Members of the Rights Licensing Committee, along with Mr. Colin Smith, CEO of the Professional League Committee.

H.E. Hamad Nekhirat Al Ameri welcomed all members of the media, broadcasting and club representatives, including Yousuf Abdullah, Secretary General of the UAE Football Association, and thanked all parties for their contributions to the improvement and progress the Pro League Committee has made over the past five seasons. H.E. Hamad Nekhirat Al Ameri highlighted the unique opportunity represented by the Invitation to Tender for the media and broadcast rights of the PLC Competitions, which offers bidders a unique chance to develop a partnership with one of Asia’s fastest-growing leagues. He noted that the innovative step of launching the Invitation to Tender has been taken with a view to continue the growth and awareness of how the UAE Pro League’s Competitions are being showcased.

“We at the Pro League Committee endeavour to continue developing our products and Competitions by working diligently together to ensure positive progression. We have come a long way in terms of professionalism since our inception five years ago, and we have raised our game and improved our level of operation in accordance with the regulations of the Asian Football Confederation within that period,” Al Ameri stated. “By launching an Invitation to Tender for the media and broadcast rights of our competitions, we aim to achieve the best possible deal for the Pro League Committee and all relevant stakeholders. All received bids will be carefully considered, based not only upon financial gain, but on the overall benefits for all parties as we strive to continue on our upward trajectory of the past few years.”

The informative press conference involved participation from all members of the Rights Licensing Committee, with H.E. Mohamed Khalfan Al Dhaheri, H.E. Khaled Al Mubasheri, H.E. Salah Salem Aljaeedi and H.E. Adnan Al Bahar all drawing upon their knowledge from their various fields of expertise to discuss all points raised by the assembled guests.

Explaining the technicalities of the bidding process further, Colin Smith confirmed that the broadcasting rights will be split into two separate packages; Package A consisting of the Etisalat Pro League and Etisalat Reserve League, and Package B the Etisalat Cup and Etisalat Super Cup. “The two packages may be awarded to one broadcaster, or may be awarded to two separate broadcasters, depending on what is deemed the best deal for all stakeholders,” Smith stated. “Interested parties may register their interest by emailing us on ITT@proleague.ae to request the Invitation To Tender document, and after signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement this will be sent to them. The Invitation To Tender document comprehensively details what is required and expected of the prospective bidders in terms of production values and so forth,” he explained. The deadline for bids is 15th April 2013, and as is common practice with tender bidding, all bids will be received in two sealed envelopes; one detailing the financial offer and the other concerning the technical proposal. All bids will be reviewed by the Rights Licensing Committee, who in turn will make their recommendations to the Executive Office, and from there a decision shall be reached.