Bowles Defends Collective Selling of Media Rights

1.58.56pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 8th May 2008

Sharon Bowles MEP for Surrey today defended the principle of collective selling of media rights in the White Paper on Sport debate in the European Parliament.

Speaking in Parliament, Sharon said:

"In sport we must not let good intentions bring unintended consequences. Economic competition rules can not always apply - collective selling of television rights is the financial lifeline for many clubs that would otherwise be squeezed by the famous"

She explained further:

"I welcome the commitment of both the Commission and Parliament to this principle and in rejecting the situation in Spain where clubs such as Barcelona and Real Madrid solidify their dominance through vast revenues gained by individual selling of media rights.

"Collective selling ensures that clubs such as Portsmouth or Reading can compete on a more even footing and that the success of the Premier League is enjoyed by all clubs, not just the Manchester Uniteds of this world".

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