FAS discussing media rights deal with MP and Silva

SINGAPORE - The Straits Times understands that FAS are in advanced talks with MP & Silva on a multi-year, multi-million dollar deal which would see the renowned sports rights distributor manage and market the national team, among others.

This includes finding opponents for friendly matches with the Lions, a key consideration given that their only competitive fixtures this year are the 2018 World Cup qualifiers in September.

The draw for the World Cup qualifiers will be made on Feb 10 and the first round of matches, to be played on a home and away basis and involving the weakest Asian sides, are slated for March 12 and 17.

This is the first time FAS is selling the commercial rights for the senior and age-group national teams.

MP & Silva's extensive network - it distributes the media rights in Asia for the likes of the Italian Serie A and the Spanish La Liga - will offer a timely boost for Singapore football.

Officials from both sides declined to confirm the deal, though a formal announcement could come as early as the end of this month.

An MP & Silva spokesman said they are in talks with FAS but "nothing is confirmed at the moment".

FAS spokesman Gerard Wong said: "We speak regularly to many different parties that are interested in promoting Singapore football.

"We are currently in various stages of discussions with a number of organisations and companies."

The agency is no stranger to the region, having inked a similar deal in 2010 with the Football Association of Malaysia for the international media rights of its events and all home matches involving the country's national and Olympic teams.

It was also believed to have been in talks to own the new Singapore franchise in the International Premier Tennis League. The team was eventually snapped up by a group of Indian businessmen.

This article was first published on January 09, 2015.
Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.