The English Premier League confirmed its position as one of world sport’s most popular tournaments by announcing a new television broadcast deal worth over £1 billion more than the existing agreement.
EPL chief executive Richard Scudamore said they had sold their live television broadcast rights to Sky and BT for a total of £3.018 billion.
Sky have bought five of the seven available packages for the seasons 2013/14 to 2015/16, totalling 116 matches per year.
BT’s package includes 18 of the 38 first-choice picks.
It all means the EPL have secured an impressive £1.254 billion increase on the current deal, which is shared between Sky and ESPN.
Vilanova agrees two-year deal
Barcelona confirmed that they have agreed a two-year deal with new coach Tito Vilanova and that he will officially put pen to paper today.
Vilanova worked as number two to Pep Guardiola who gave up the job at the end of the season after four years. He had been in contract talks with the club ever since the April 27 announcement that he would be taking over.
This week, Madrid-based sports daily Marca said that Vilanova will earn seven million euros a year.
Vilanova, 42, played only briefly as a professional in Spain’s top flight, notably with Celta Vigo, before turning to coaching at the end of his career.
Djourou plays down Napoli link
Johan Djourou maintains he is not seeking a transfer from Arsenal.
The 25-year-old centre-back has been linked with an £8 million switch to Napoli after dropping down the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium.
However, Swiss international Djourou moved to play down the reports.
He said on Twitter: “I just want to deny what has been in the press about my transfer. It isn’t true at all.
“I have been at Arsenal for 10 years now and I am always committed to the club.”
Corluka expects Modric to move on
Vedran Corluka does not expect playmaker Luka Modric to stay at Tottenham next season.
The defender, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Bayer Leverkusen, believes Spurs’ failure to secure Champions League football will force his Croatia team-mate to look elsewhere.
“We all know it will be very difficult for Spurs to keep Luka because they do not have Champions League football next season,” he said.
“Luka is one of the best players in the world and the kind who wants to play in the best competition. Not getting into the Cham-pions League will cost Spurs next season.”
Jaaskelainen signs for West Ham
Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen has agreed to move to Premier League newcomers West Ham. The 37-year-old has agreed personal terms on a one-year deal.
The former Finland international said: “I’m delighted to be joining West Ham United. After spending 15 years at Bolton it’s a great new challenge and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Jaaskelainen, who joined Bolton in 1997, played for eight years under current Hammers boss Sam Allardyce at Wanderers.
The emergence of young Hungarian keeper Adam Bogdan limited his opportunities last season though, as Bolton were relegated to the Championship.
PFA chief calls for Green talks
PFA Scotland chief executive Fraser Wishart has challenged Charles Green to engage in serious consultation over his plans for a new Rangers amid growing frustration among players over the uncertainty.
Green is poised to push ahead with a £5.5m deal to buy the club’s assets and form a new club, which would be excluded from Europe for three years.
Wishart said: “It may well be the case that all of the players wish to transfer across to the newco.
“However, they are becoming increasingly unhappy at having to operate in an information vacuum while their futures are portrayed by others as being a fait accompli with no proper communication and consultation taking place.”
Silva not for sale says Galliani
Milan are prepared to resist all offers from PSG for Thiago Silva, according to club vice-president Adriano Galliani.
Galliani returned to Milan late Wednesday after spending the previous two days in Paris locked in talks with Paris SG executives regarding the possible sale of the Brazil defender.
“Berlusconi intends to resist all offers from PSG for Thiago Silva,” Galliani said.
The 27-year-old Silva is also a reported target of Manchester City, Chelsea and Barcelona.
The French giants recently increased their bid to €50m to acquire Silva, who is under contract with the Serie A outfit until June 2016.