Sports governing bodies commit to free-to-air broadcasts and reinvestment in grassroots sport

Governing bodies of sport have renewed their commitment to ensuring that coverage of the UK’s major sporting events is available on free-to-air television. They have also pledged that at least 30% of the net revenue derived from the sale of UK television broadcast rights is reinvested back into grassroots sport.

Six of the UK’s major sports bodies have all made the commitment as part of the Voluntary Code of Conduct on the Broadcasting of Major Sporting Events. The Code ensures that sports events of significant national interest are made available to free-to-air broadcasters in live, recorded or highlights form so that they can be viewed by the vast majority of the population.

The Code also guarantees that these six signatories will support the sports pyramid by putting a proportion of the money raised from broadcasting deals into the promotion of grassroots participation and development.

Sir David Scott CBE, who chairs the committee which monitors the Code, says that the arrangement makes a valuable contribution to the health of British sport,

“The Code achieves two important things. First, it makes the best sporting events available to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay. Second, it also makes clear the link between the success of these ‘blue-riband’ events and a healthy participation base by ensuring that at least 30% of the net revenue goes into the grassroots.

“In the last available financial year, sports bodies that are full signatories reinvested at least £135 million in grassroots sport as defined under the Code. This represents a significant contribution to the development of their respective sports and reinforces the importance of the Code as a collective commitment by the national governing bodies.”

To find out more about the Code click here.

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