Serie A weighs cup revamp and overseas rights investment

Serie A is preparing its next Coppa Italia broadcast tender while advancing plans for an international rights business, with clubs considering changes to both the competition format and the way overseas media revenues are developed.The parallel discussions cover a possible five-year rights package for the domestic cup and proposals to create a company managing international rights, in which an investment fund would acquire a stake.Serie A said: “Regarding overseas rights, the process launched several months ago to define the best strategy for global development is continuing.”Two proposals reportedly remain under discussion for the international rights project, following an earlier field of six, with clubs expected to work towards a vote between November and December.Oaktree is reportedly no longer in contention, although the supplied reporting does not identify the two remaining proposals or establish their financial terms.Investment bank JP Morgan and Serie A chief executive Luigi De Siervo have been leading work on the project, which aims to increase annual international rights revenue from approximately €250m to €500m.That figure represents an ambition rather than contracted income, with the structure of any investment and the commercial commitments underpinning it still to be agreed.The proposed arrangement would bring external capital into a dedicated rights business, requiring clubs to assess the ownership stake offered alongside the strategy for increasing the value of Serie A outside Italy.The league has not confirmed a preferred investor or a completed agreement, and the remaining proposals will require further consideration before clubs decide whether to proceed.Separately, Serie A is examining the next commercial cycle for the Coppa Italia, with a tender expected before the end of the year.Italy’s competition authority has approved guidelines for marketing the rights, providing a framework for the sales process without determining the eventual broadcaster or price.Mediaset currently holds rights to the Coppa Italia and Italian Super Cup until the end of the 2026/27 season, with the next cycle due to begin in 2027/28.A five-year tender is under consideration, alongside possible changes to the cup’s format, although the supplied material does not specify which sporting changes are being assessed.The relationship between those decisions is commercially significant because broadcasters need clarity over the competition they are buying, including its match inventory and scheduling.A longer agreement would also extend the period over which the league and its broadcast partners plan coverage and commercial activity, making the final format relevant to the tender’s design.The Coppa Italia process and the international rights investment remain separate decisions, with neither a revised competition structure nor an external investment agreement confirmed.Clubs are expected to continue examining the overseas proposals ahead of a potential vote in November or December, while the cup rights tender is scheduled for launch before year-end.