An American investor has proposed buying Serie A's media rights.

According to the specialized sports economics platform, the American investment firm Avenue Capital has emerged as the frontrunner in the race to acquire a stake in a company that will manage the international media rights of Italy's Serie A. Reuters reported on October 16, citing sources, that Avenue Capital's offer to purchase a 10% stake is valued at €320 million.

Based on this offer, the company's total value is estimated at approximately €3.2 billion. The entity will be responsible for managing international broadcasting rights, sponsorship deals, and betting-related rights in foreign markets.

Reuters reports that some competing investors have submitted higher financial bids, including a joint offer from Carlyle and Nextalia that values the business more highly. However, Avenue Capital's investment structure, which reportedly includes common shares and lacks certain cash flow guarantees offered by competitors, has been noted in an initial assessment. The final decision has not yet been made, and the deal requires approval from at least 14 of the 20 Serie A clubs to proceed.

This transaction is part of a broader trend where sports leagues are structuring their media rights as a standalone commercial asset and transferring a portion of its future value to investors. While this model can provide immediate financial resources for the league, it may also impact future economic benefits and management options due to the contract structure.

When evaluating such a deal, the proposed amount is not the sole consideration. Other factors, such as the amount of equity transferred, investor decision-making rights, income-sharing arrangements, contract duration, and the risk of media rights depreciation, should also be taken into account.

Source: Reuters; Investors compete to buy a stake in Serie A media rights – October 16, 2026.

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