Sky Sports Announces Retention of La Liga Broadcast Rights for Next 3 Seasons

Sky Sports will continue to show live coverage of La Liga for the next three seasons, as the broadcaster announced a new deal with the Spanish top flight on its official Twitter feed.

On an accompanying article on its website, Sky claimed “The deal strengthens Sky’s position as the first choice for sport across the UK and Ireland and ensures La Liga remains a key part of an unrivalled schedule of live football.”

LLUIS GENE/Getty Images

As noted by Adam Shergold of the MailOnline, BT Sport was expected to rival Sky for its coverage of the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. But despite the Spanish football league taking the bidding to a second round on the back of BT’s interest and although it looked likely to secure the rights at one stage, Sky has clung on.

As mentioned in Shergold’s piece, BT Sport has already wrestled coverage of the Champions League off Sky in a three-year deal worth a staggering £897 million.

QUIQUE GARCIA/Getty Images

Spanish football writer Lee Roden doesn’t think Sky’s coverage of Spain’s top flight could have been bettered anyway:

The aforementioned article from Sky noted that viewers will have access to over 100 matches throughout the La Liga season, as well as the final of the Copa del Rey. This latest deal will see Sky’s coverage of La Liga run into its 20th year and during those two decades the broadcaster has put together a slick product for fans of Spain’s top flight.

After relinquishing the rights to show the biggest club competition in the world, Sky's permission to show a league containing the world's two most recognisable players and most prestigious teams is imperative. With BT Sport on the march to make itself the home of live football, those at Sky will breathe a huge sigh of relief that they’ve managed to get this deal over the line.