Special report: How the EFL’s record TV deal may reshape the world’s oldest league, and why there’s more to come
IMAGO | Sheffield Wednesday players celebrating after making it 0-1 during the Sky Bet League 1 Play-off Final against Barnsley.
Last month Sky and the EFL announced a record deal that will see more than 1000 matches broadcast live each season and earn EFL clubs nearly £1 billion over five years.
Off The Pitch heard from the EFL, broadcast experts, analysts and clubs about the deal and asked who the real winner is – EFL or Sky?
Why it matters: The innovative deal offers unprecedented access to the world’s oldest league while making it the sixth biggest domestic TV deal globally.
The perspective: Could this be the last domestic TV deal the EFL negotiates on its own? A break clause opens the way for the Football League to jointly negotiate its next TV deal with the EPL.
7 June 2023 - 3:37 PM
It was the third minute of injury time in extra time in the English Football League’s (EFL) 1891st and last game of the 2022/23 season that – arguably – provided its crowning moment.
For 123 minutes Sheffield Wednesday and their Yorkshire rivals, Barnsley, had slugged out a goalless draw in the League One playoff final that was low on quality and chances.
“That was probably the worst standard of game you’ll ever watch,” admitted Josh Windass in an interview with Sky
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