Sky ‘getting serious’ over EFL rights offer but could lose games to BT Sport
SKY is ‘getting serious’ about the size of its offer for EFL coverage with the TV contracts now up for grabs.
The broadcaster does not want to lose out on the prize of Championship coverage as bids go in before Thursday’s meeting.
But the streaming specialists Viaplay and BT Sport’s new partners want a slice of the action.
Sky is anxious not to lose subscribers, with many in the EFL community.
Suspended Match of the Day host Gary Lineker has already been offered a more conventional new role by BT Sport as part of their planned summer revamp to become TNT Sports.
They want the ex-England star, 62, to be the face of their new venture, which includes Premier League and Champions League coverage.
The popular presenter was suspended from presenting the Beeb’s flagship Premier League highlights show amid an ongoing dispute with the BBC over his tweets.
Lineker previously worked for BT Sport between 2015-2021 and has presented Match of the Day since 1999.
He decided to step down to watch his beloved Leicester on their European journey in the Europa Conference League last season, with Brendan Rodgers’ side reaching the semi-final.
And Lineker was at the King Power Stadium today to watch the Foxes in action against Chelsea after becoming expectedly free.
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It comes as the veteran broadcaster sparked a free speech row when he compared the Government’s plans to ban migrants arriving on small boats from settling in Britain with “1930’s Germany”.
The BBC said Lineker’s criticism of the Government’s Illegal Migration Bill on Twitter was a “breach of our guidelines”.
The pundit was then forced to step back from presenting duties on the flagship football show – that he’s presented since 1999 – until a “clear position” on his social media use is agreed.
But his suspension sparked chaos as scores of Match of the Day co-hosts refused to appear in solidarity with the veteran presenter.
Ian Wright, Alan Shearer, Jermaine Jenas, Alex Scott, Mark Chapman and Micah Richards all refused to fill in amid the chaos.
The show’s commentary team are also standing down – meaning the show will go without presenters, pundits or commentators.
It means the show will be highlights only and will last just 20 minutes.