BT is in talks with the Premier League for approval for the £600 million sale of BT Sport to another broadcaster.
Streaming service DAZN is seen as the most likely candidate to complete the protracted sales process, though Discovery, owner of Eurosport, also remains interested in either a sale or a joint-venture with the telco.
The Times says the sale will be the main topic of discussion when the BT Board meets later ahead of Thursday’s third-quarter results.
The Premier League is the sports operation’s largest partner with a package to screen 52 matches a year including a Saturday lunchtime match. The £385 million contract runs until 2025 following its extension following the Covid crisis.
The broadcaster is also in the middle of a £1.2 billion three-year deal with Uefa for European club football until 2024, including the Champions League and the Europa League.
Last month Reuters, who spoke to four separate sources was told the deal is still to be finalised and could still collapse.
It’s understood that a major obstacle has been securing agreements both with the rights holders and with distributors Sky and Virgin Media.
In the UK, DAZN is largely known for its boxing coverage, and the acquisition of BT Sport would bring considerable opportunity, and sports rights, to the unprofitable broadcaster.