German League aims for new TV deal
BERLIN, Germany (Reuters) -- The German Football League (DFL) has failed to agree a contract extension with current television rights holder Infront by the year-end deadline.
DFL president Werner Hackmann said in a statement that Swiss company Infront's current deal will finish at the end of the 2003-04 season.
Infront had an option that expired on December 31 to pay 295 million euros for next season and 300m for the following season, but wanted to pay only 272.5m and 277.5m respectively.
"It is now the DFL's immediate task to begin talks with any interested parties," Hackmann said.
The league, which represents the 36 professional clubs in Germany's top two divisions, also plans to continue negotiations with Infront, the statement said.
The DFL last month turned down Infront's offer of less cash and said it could probably make more money from marketing the rights on its own.
Bundesliga clubs have suffered as revenue from TV rights dropped from a peak in 2000-01 and started this season with a combined 599 million euros of debt.
Most have been unable to afford to bring in fresh talent -- bad news for a league already less glamorous than its Spanish, Italian and English rivals.
