RFL: 'ESPN up for Super League rights'

Rugby Football League (RFL) chairman Richard Lewis has said that Sky and the BBC could face stiff competition for rugby league rights, with ESPN ready to snap up Super League from 2012.

Sky's deal for Super League and the BBC's agreement for the Challenge Cup both expire at the end of this season, and the RFL has already started talks for renewals.

Lewis confirmed that a tender document has been issued to all interested broadcasters, but Sky and the BBC are not guaranteed a continuation of their exclusive deals.

"We put the tender document out to prospective bidders last week and the broadcasters have a month to respond," said Lewis.

"I would think it will be at least a couple of months before we know what's happening. We've had discussions with our long-standing partners like Sky and the BBC and we've had various conversations [with] new entrants like ESPN, who are interested."

He added: "[ESPN] already show rugby union and it's logical for them to take a look at rugby league. There is a lot of interest and I think it's quite a buoyant market place for rugby league. I'm really encouraged."

When the Super League television rights were last negotiated in November 2007, the RFL secured a favourable deal for clubs in the league that saw their income rise from £750,000 to more than £1m.

The Challenge Cup final is currently one of the events listed on the government's 'crown jewels' sports protected for free-to-air terrestrial TV. However, matches from the earlier rounds are available to other broadcasters, including pay-TV operators.

Lewis said that the RFL is open to negotiating rights packages incorporating primary and secondary rights. He added: "There are packages in the document. It's really what the broadcasters say is best for them. It's a free marketplace. It's only the final that has to be shown on terrestrial television."

In November 2009, a panel led by former Football Association chief executive David Davies recommended that the Challenge Cup final should be removed from the 'crown jewels' list, but the advice has not yet been implemented by the coalition government.