As previously reported in N2K, as a result of the disruption and severe financial consequences of the pandemic, the Government agreed to legislate, by granting an Exclusion Order, to allow the Premier League to renew its current broadcast agreements with current UK broadcast partners for an additional three-year period starting 2022-23, without conducting the normal tender process.

In consideration for granting the Exclusion Order (which disapplies the Chapter I prohibition (as defined in s 2(8) of the Competition Act 1998) and the Chapter II prohibition (as defined in section 18(4) of that Act)), the Premier League agreed to pay at least £1.6 billion of funding to the football pyramid, supporting football through the pandemic.

The Memorandum of Understanding between the parties sets out the details of the Government’s agreement with the Premier League and how the funding will be distributed. For a link to the MoU, click here.