3rd June 2009 at Roland-Garros in Paris, the Sports Rights Owners Coalition (SROC) met to discuss sports right issues and specifically sports betting with top Government officials.
In name of SROC, a collective representing over 40 national, European and global sporting organisations, Gilbert Ysern Roland-Garros Tournament Director, had the great pleasure of welcoming French "Secreta ire d'Etat" for Sport Bernard Laporte and UK Minister for Sport Gerry Sutcliffe for an interesting discussion on recent legal developments in France in relation to the regulation of its sports betting market.
Mr. Laporte presented the new legal framework proposed by the French government, which has been unanimously welcomed by the sports as a positive step towards ensuring the integrity of sporting competitions and guaranteeing a fair financial return to sports competition organisers. Mr. Laporte applauded the initiative of the sports to come together and address these challenges collectively, stating that "we need to be together" to address the problem.
Minister Sutcliffe also welcomed the initiative taken by SROC and the interesting French proposal, and agreed that something needs to be done to protect the integrity of sporting competitions against any form of manipulation, as well as to ensure a fair return to the sports. Mr. Sutcliffe also expressed his belief that "a European solution is the way forward." Nic Coward, Chairman of SROC, welcomed this commonality of purpose, and called on the two Ministers to add sports rights and sports betting to the rolling agenda of the informal EU's Sports Ministers meetings, which currently take place every six months. Mr. Coward stated:
"The French model, as proposed in full, is the best and most comprehensive regulatory solution dealing with integrity and fair return that we have seen to date. Public confidence in sporting competitions is an essential ingredient of the continued appeal of sports; if we lose that, we lose everything. We strongly agree with both Ministers that the problem cannot be solved if France is the only country to act, and therefore call on European Governments and the EU Institutions to solve these important issues together."
Welcoming the open dialogue and the participation of the two Ministers, SROC members called for continued engagement and welcomed Mr. Laporte and Mr. Sutcliffe's commitment to working together to overcome the serious challenges they face.
Notes for Editors
The Sport Rights Owners Coalition, created four years ago, brings together over 40 major international and national sporting organisations. The purpose of the informal group is to enable the sharing of ideas and information and to prepare and present common positions on major issues for sport. The sports are seeking proper recognition of the value of sport from Governments across the world, and effective protection for their rights under law. Priorities are addressing piracy in the digital environment, anti-counterfeiting generally, broadcast and IP policy development generally, and sports betting.
SROC representatives at the meeting included Federation Francaise de Tennis, FIFA, International Cricket Council, International Rugby Board, UEFA, World Marathon Majors, Grand Slam Tournaments, and Ligue de Football Professionnel. For further information, please contact Oliver Weingarten sportsrights@sroc.info
Copyright 2008 EPFL
All rights reserved
In line with the objective of promoting knowledge sharing and facilitating the exchange of information between Members and Associate Members and relevant stakeholders, the EPFL launched a Cycle of Conferences on “The Future of professional Football in Europe”.
These Conferences provide an excellent platform for updates about the value of football...More >
