What hope for Germans as FIFA maintains hard stance on broadcast right ahead of women’s World Cup

Emmanuel Thomas, DPA, Friday, May 19, 2023

 

COLOGNE – German public networks are preparing for broadcasts from the upcoming women’s World Cup but an agreement with the ruling body FIFA is yet to reached.

Germany are among several top European football nations without a broadcast deal for the July 20-August 20 tournament in Australia and New Zealand.

FIFA want to more money than networks have offered in an attempt to raise more money for the women’s game which has gained in popularity in recent years. FIFA president Gianni Infantino was quoted as saying on Wednesday that there is some movement now in the talks.

But sports co-ordinator Axel Balkausky from German network ARD and ZDF network sports chief Yorck Polus said on Thursday that a deal is yet to be reached.

“There is no agreement. I can not say today whether there will be an agreement,” Balkausky said in Cologne at a German Football Federation (DFB) event ahead of the day’s women’s Cup final.

“Time is running out, we are – as far as possible – preparing for it.” Polus added that “both of us are hoping [for an agreement], we are continuing our efforts.”

Balkausky had previously spoken of an offer in line with market conditions, which according to Kicker sports magazine was €5 million ($5.4 million) and only half of what FIFA want. Sources told dpa that the figures are a little higher than that.

German women’s football ratings have soared lately. The Euro final between Germany and England was the most viewed sports programme in 2022, with almost 18 million tuning in.