Lagardère Sports Acquires Exclusive Worldwide Media Broadcasting Rights To VTB United League

Lagardère Sports today announced it has signed an exclusive deal with the VTB United League to sell the media broadcasting rights for the annual European basketball league worldwide (excluding participating countries). The multiyear deal will run for three seasons from 2016/17 to 2018/19.

The VTB United League was established in 2008 under the umbrella of the Russian Basketball Federation and from its beginning sponsored by VTB Bank (Vneshtorgbank). The VTB United League is an international basketball competition that unites leading Eastern European basketball clubs. Lagardère Sports will use its expertise and vast network to increase and maximize economic distribution from the league while helping the VTB United League maintain its position as one of the strongest basketball competitions in Europe.

Stefan Felsing, Executive Vice President, Media - Global Sales & Acquisitions, Lagardère Sports said: “We’re delighted to be working with the VTB United League – with more and more clubs competing it’s an exciting time for the league, and we’re certain there will be big interest in media rights across the world. We’re looking forward to bringing the league to new viewers while offering an even better product to the existing ones over the next three years.”

Ilona Korstin, General Manager, VTB United League said: "We are proud to be represented by Lagardère Sports worldwide. The only way to become truly international and commercially successful is to associate yourself with the best professionals. And we are certain that our partner has enough expertise to help us take another step on our way to adding more recognition to our product."

With an experienced Media Sales management team, Lagardère Sports is able to service territories around the world and provide solutions to package and monetize media rights efficiently and effectively.

There are currently 14 clubs from Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Estonia and Latvia competing in the VTB United League 2016-17, creating a truly pan-European basketball competition.

About Lagardère Sports

Lagardère Sports is a leading sport marketing agency, with a global network of local experts dedicated to delivering innovative solutions that meet our clients’ needs. We believe sport inspires emotions and passion that are essential to enrich people’s lives and generate powerful collective experiences. At Lagardère Sports, we dedicate our expertise and passion to provide our clients with privileged access to the infinite opportunities of sports. Lagardère Sports is part of Lagardère Sports and Entertainment, a company with more than 1,600 employees worldwide and 50 years of experience.

About VTB United League

The VTB United League is an international professional men’s basketball league that was founded in 2008. Its goal is to unite the leading basketball clubs of Eastern Europe and Northern Europe into one league. Among top-rated European clubs participating in the VTB United league are CSKA (Moscow), Lokomotiv-Kuban (Krasnodar), Khimki (Moscow region), Zenit (St. Petersburg) and others. The league is sponsored by VTB Bank.