Buyout Firms Bid Around $2 Billion for German Football Rights

Private equity firms have bid roughly €1.8 billion ($2 billion) for a stake in the media rights business of the Bundesliga, Germany’s main football competition, people with knowledge of the matter said.

Officials at governing body Deutsche Fussball Liga told clubs in recent days they received four bids for a 12.5% stake in the new unit which ranged from around €1.75 billion to €1.85 billion, the people said. The offers assumed the business will receive proceeds from the domestic and international broadcasting rights of Germany’s top professional football teams for 20 years, the people said.